John Lewis Quotes

Racism was very high in America in the 20th century, especially between black and white people. It was during this time that American politician, leader and civil rights activist John Robert Lewis was born.

John raised his voice against it and fought many battles to make society better. He was also the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1963 to 1966. He played a major role in many civil rights movements and actions to end racial segregation.

Apart from this, from 1987 until his death in 2020, he has been the United States House of Representatives of Georgia’s 5th congressional district.

John Lewis was born on February 21, 1940 in Troy City, Alabama. His parents Willie Mae and Eddie Lewis worked as sharecroppers in rural Pike County, Alabama.

John did his early studies at Rosenwald School near his home. He had experienced racism and segregation since childhood. After school, he had to take admission at Troy University. But he did not get admission due to racism.

For this, Lewis wrote letter to Martin Luther King Jr. and he called Lewis to meet him. Martin explained to them how dangerous it can be to take admission there. John then took admission to a historically black college in Tennessee.

From there he obtained a bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy. As a student, he became an activist in the civil rights movement for the first time.

Apart from this, he also played an important role in bus boycotts and other nonviolent protests for voting rights and racial equality. John Lewis also served as Freedom Riders and SNCC Chairman.

John Lewis in 1964
John Lewis in 1964

After this, he became a member of the Democratic Party and was elected to Congress for the first time in 1986. John served in the US House of Representatives 17 times.

He also served as Chief Deputy Whip and Senior Chief Deputy Whip in Democratic Party from 1991 to 2003.

John lewis has received many awards for his work such as Wallenberg Medal, Four Freedoms Award, John F. Kennedy Library Foundation awarded, Golden Plate Award, Jefferson Awards.

Apart from this, in 2011, he was also given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the hands of Barack Obama.

John has always raised his voice for freedom, equality and basic human rights. He always taught others that one should never accept injustice. He kept on doing his work till the last.

John died on July 17, 2020 at the age of 80 after suffering 8 months of illness in Atlanta.

John Lewis Quotes :

best john lewis quotes
Study the path of others to make your way easier and more abundant. – John Lewis Quotes (Photograph by J. Scott Applewhite – Shutterstock)

“I believe in freedom of speech, but I also believe that we have an obligation to condemn speech that is racist, bigoted, anti-Semitic, or hateful.” – John Lewis

”To comply with an unjust system is to accept abuse.” – John Lewis

”Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don’t be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice.” – John Lewis

”The vote is precious. It’s almost sacred, so go out and vote like you never voted before.” – John Lewis

”Today, we waste our power in a futile attempt to debase, degrade, and even destroy the light in others.” – John Lewis

john lewis sayings
The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have. – John Lewis Quotes (Image Source: americanlibrariesmagazine.org)

”Every generation leaves behind a legacy. What that legacy will be is determined by the people of that generation.” – John Lewis

”Human beings are the most dynamic link to the divine on this planet.” – John Lewis

”Rioting is not a movement. It is not an act of civil disobedience. I think it is a mistake for people to consider disorganized action. It is simply an explosion of emotion.” – John Lewis

”Take a long, hard look down the road you will have to travel once you have made a commitment to work for change.” – John Lewis

famous quotes from john lewis
If we believe in the change we seek, then it is easy to commit to doing all we can. – John Lewis Quotes (Image Source: Getty Images)

”Faith is knowing in the solid core of your soul that the work is already done, even as an idea is being conceived in your mind.” – John Lewis

”Darkness cannot overcome darkness, only light can do that.” – John Lewis

”It is so strange that we have learned to fly in the air like birds, learned to swim in the ocean like fish, shoot a rocket to the moon, but we have not yet learned how to live together in harmony with one another.” – John Lewis

”We are one people, one family, the human family, and what affects one of us affects us all.” – John Lewis

”When a person dies, the dream does not die. You can kill a man, but the truth that he stood for will never die.” – John Lewis

john lewis saying
Freedom is not a state; it is an act. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take. – John Lewis Quotes (Photo by Brinley Hineman – AP Photos)

”Truth can’t be denied or erased, it can be systemically obscured, strategically misinterpreted, and hidden from mainstream comprehension.” – John Lewis

”The power of faith is transformative. It can be utilized in your own personal life to change your individual condition.” – John Lewis

”Aware of the truth requires action, and that is when the struggle begins.” – John Lewis

”There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.” – John Lewis

”Real leaders are not appointed. They emerge out of the masses of the people and rise to the forefront through the circumstances of their lives.” – John Lewis

Quotes From John Lewis :

Quotes From John Lewis
Never become bitter, and in the process, be happy and just go for it. – John Lewis Quotes (Image Source: globalcitizen.org)

”There’s nothing wrong with a little agitation for what’s right or what’s fair.” – John Lewis

”You must be bold, brave, and courageous and find a way… to get in the way.” – John Lewis

”Our attackers were also victims. Victims of a negative indoctrination that taught the false values of superiority and inferiority.” – John Lewis

”We need some creative tension; people crying out for the things they want.” – John Lewis

quotes john lewis
We may not be able to stop the violence of others, but we can stop our own. – John Lewis Quotes (Photo by Pouya Dianat from ajc.com)

”Too many of us still believe our differences define us.” – John Lewis

”A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few.” – John Lewis

”The vote controls everything that you do.” – John Lewis

”The scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in society.” – John Lewis

quotes of john lewis
Faith had no meaning unless it had the power to resolve the problems of our daily lives. – John Lewis Quotes

”To truly revolutionize our society, we must first revolutionize ourselves.” – John Lewis

”To set your hopes on a puff of smoke and on a whispering breath is to hope for an illusion.” – John Lewis

”Soul force is the ability to counter the forces of injustice with fearlessness.” – John Lewis

”Threats, violence, and aggression are simply tools that are used to make us doubt our capacity to overcome.” – John Lewis

john lewis quotes
We may not have chosen the time, but the time has chosen us. – John Lewis Quotes (Image Source: thehill.com)

”When people tell me nothing has changed, I say come walk in my shoes and I will show you change.” – John Lewis

”You cannot be afraid to speak up and speak out for what you believe. You have to have courage, raw courage.” – John Lewis

”We will stand up for what is right, for what is fair and what is just. Health care is a right and not a privilege.” – John Lewis

”If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.” – John Lewis

John Lewis Quotes On Love :

John Lewis Quotes On Love
Hate can never overcome hate, only love can do that. – John Lewis Quotes (Photo by Tom williams – AP)

”The work of love, peace, and justice will always be necessary, until their realism and their imperative takes hold of our imagination.” – John Lewis

”Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart.” – John Lewis

John Lewis Quotes On Never Give Up :

John Lewis Quotes On Never Give Up
If you’re not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. – John Lewis Quotes

“You are the light. Never let anyone —any person or any force — dampen, dim or diminish your light.” – John Lewis

”Change often takes time. It rarely happens all at once.” – John Lewis

”Nothing can stop the power of committed and determined people to make a difference in our society.” – John Lewis

”If you stop doing the thing. You may never know what results come from your action.” – John Lewis

John Lewis Good Trouble Quote :

John Lewis Good Trouble Quote
Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of the country. – John Lewis Quotes (Photo by MARCO GROB – TRUNK ARCHIVE)