This business of burning human beings with napalm, of filling our nation's homes with orphans and widows, of injecting poisonous drugs of hate into veins of peoples normally humane, of sending men home from dark and bloody battlefields physically handicapped and psychologically deranged, cannot be reconciled with wisdom, justice and love.
Every man [human being] is an heir to a legacy of dignity and worth
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the intrinsic value and dignity every human possesses as part of their heritage.
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s quote highlights the idea that every individual inherently carries a legacy of dignity and worth, suggesting that these qualities are fundamental to the human experience. It encourages recognition of each person's intrinsic value, regardless of societal status or external circumstances, and calls for respect and acknowledgment of this shared human heritage.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about human rights, one might say, 'As Martin Luther King, Jr. eloquently put it, every man is an heir to a legacy of dignity and worth, reminding us to respect each other fundamentally.'
More from Martin Luther King, Jr.
All quotes βMusic is the best consolation for a despaired man
We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.
We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.
Israel... is one of the great outpost of democracy in the world
One of the greatest casualties of the war in Vietnam is the Great Society... shot down on the battlefield of Vietnam.
Similar quotes
Here ends the SILMARILLION. If it has passed from the high and the beautiful to darkness and ruin, that was of old the fate of Arda Marred; and if any change shall come and the Marring be amended, ManwΓ« and Varda may know; but they have not revealed it, and it is not declared in the dooms of Mandos.
A human being has so many skins inside, covering the depths of the heart. We know so many things, but we don't know ourselves! Why, thirty or forty skins or hides, as thick and hard as an ox's or bear's, cover the soul. Go into your own ground and learn to know yourself there.
Chemical weapons simply have no place in the 21st century. Progress in this vital area will help generate momentum to meet our goal of eliminating all weapons of mass destruction.
Where there is no conflict, there is no fault.
Of all writings I love only that which is written with blood. Write with blood: and you will discover that blood is spirit.
To be with God is really to be involved in some enormous, overwhelming desire, and joy, and power which you cannot control, which controls you.