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

- John Lewis

I say from time to time that the vote is precious. It's almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument that we have in a democr…

- John Lewis

The reward for playing jazz is playing jazz.

- John Lewis

We may not have chosen the time, but the time has chosen us.

- John Lewis

I thought I was going to die a few times. On the Freedom Ride in the year 1961, when I was beaten at the Greyhound bus station in Montgomery, I thoug…

- John Lewis

It is my hope that people today will see that, in another time, in another period, when we saw the need for people to speak up, to organize, to mobil…

- John Lewis

Our struggle is a struggle to redeem the soul of America. It's not a struggle that lasts for a few days, a few weeks, a few months, or a few years. I…

- John Lewis

You cannot give up - you have to be persistent and keep pushing, and press on.

- John Lewis

I met Rosa Parks when I was 17. I met Dr. [Martin Luther] King when I was 18. These two individuals inspired me to find a way to get in the way, to g…

- John Lewis