On Jan. 15 each year, we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. — a man of deep faith and a monumental figure in the civil rights movement. His courageous witness and example of Christian love helped to bring about the end of segregation in the United States and so spurred a vision of brotherly unity more in accordance with that of God’s plan for humanity.
While he is best known for his famous 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. King’s profound wisdom extended far beyond the words of that speech. His deep faith informed the way in which he saw the world — and indeed, the very dream he spoke of in Washington, D.C. — and there are many quotes attributed to him which show how he himself was living that dream which he so fervently desired.
As we honor his life and legacy, here are a few highlights that ought to stop and give us pause as we all strive to bring Dr. King’s dream to light and live out God’s vision for a more just and peaceful existence.
The time is always right to do what is right.
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’
Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge which is power; religion gives man wisdom which is control.
We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.
If a man has not discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.
We are not makers of history. We are made by history.
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.