In the fourth grade we got to write about anyone we wanted and I chose Dr. King. What he did for his people initially and all people ultimately continues to inspire me to this day. In celebration of his life and accomplishments, I wanted to take some time and really embrace his wisdom.

As I sorted through the 5 pages of memes, I picked those thoughts that resonated most with me. These are in no particular order and occasionally I was compelled to recognize someone who I feel embodies the concept or what I hope we can learn from it.

1. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

2. Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.

   

3. 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.

4. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. This one reminds me of Keith Stonehouse.

5. We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. – This one reminds me of Shawne Duperon.

6. A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom. I wish we all knew this.

   

7. We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

8. The time is always right to do what is right. – This makes me think of John George of Blightbusters.

9. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.- This is what I mean by our connectedness. It is so very true to me.

1. We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear. -I wish we were doing more of this through education.

2. We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now. When will we start acting like it?

   

3. Science investigates religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge which is power religion gives man wisdom which is control. This is cool and makes me think of Benji Rosenzweig

4. A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan.- Yeah, see # 10 and 6.

5. A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.

6. Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. - I love this.

   

7. I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.

8. Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.-Isn’t this totally true and totally backwards?

I’m grateful for Brainy Quote putting such a comprehensive list Martin Luther King quotations together. There’s easily 70 more quotations that didn’t make this list.

Which ones do you like? Do you have a favorite that didn’t make the list?