Monday, January 15, 2007

MLK: Wisdom



Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.


We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.


I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.


Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence.


Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.


Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.


Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.


Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.


The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy


I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become reality.


I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.


Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love.
Martin Luther King

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

such clarity. subliminal constructive power...love.
thanks for sharing them kuan.

abcd said...

very meaningful quote. i especially like the first one.

Anonymous said...

Loved this post.so much to learn.especially liked these lines."Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love." So true.I wish the people who want to go to war would read this.

Em Meyer said...

What a beautiful human being he was. We need him now. Thank you for collecting these empowering quotes Kuan.

My favorite,

"Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."

Steve said...

Whenever I read MLK, I can also hear the passion in his voice echoing.. standing behind and animating the beauty of the poetry in his words. A lovely passage, so much truth. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I am a bit ashamed that I had never read this before now.

Thank you for sharing it.

Leigh said...

He was a wise man. Thanks for sharing this post it was awesome.

Have a good day.

Kuan Gung said...

Power...in his words..indeed...thank you sojourner

Kuan Gung said...

I agree pink ginger...greetings & thank you!

Kuan Gung said...

Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love."

Strong statement lalitha...I can't seem to get to your site...thank you

Kuan Gung said...

Warm Greetings eileen! Yes..yes

Kuan Gung said...

I agree steve, anyone who knows him those images just flood the mind...what a great speeker!

Kuan Gung said...

Thank you for commenting michelle!

Kuan Gung said...

Thank you leigh...the very best to you!

Tisha! said...

Powerful post! If we don't voice our views it's like we don't exist!

Thanks for your kind words on my blog and do come visit again!

Cheers
Tisha

Anonymous said...

beautiful and powerful words but specially so true!!

Kathleen said...

Great Tribute to Martin... thanks for doing this Kuan... :)

Lisa Johnson said...

Beautiful and very true! We humans really need to get it together soon!