Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of history's best communicators. his immensely famous and touching "I Have a Dream" speech, which remains one of the most eloquent appeals for racial equality.
A one-liner from him could achieve more than an entire speech.
His speeches included a number of stylistic devices, a command of grammar and a comprehensive understanding of how to organise a speech for maximum impact. His use of repetition, alliteration, pauses and dramatic silences were second to none.
Tomorrow (January 20) is his birthday. Here are some of our favourite sayings by the great man.
"Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love." (Nobel Prize acceptance speech)
"I agree with Dante, that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality. There comes a time when silence is betrayal." ("Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam" speech).
Happy birthday to the great orator!