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All life is interrelated. The agony of the poor impoverishes the rich; the betterment of the poor enriches the rich. We are inevitably our brother's keeper because we are our brother's brother. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Our lives are interconnected, and the well-being of one affects all.

This quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. emphasizes the fundamental interconnectedness of humanity. It suggests that the struggles of the less fortunate do not only impact themselves but also create suffering for those more privileged, while uplifting the poor benefits everyone. King posits that our interdependence demands a sense of responsibility towards each other, reinforcing the idea that our collective well-being is tied to the welfare of others.

Themes

InterconnectednessResponsibilityCommunityBrotherhoodUnity

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about community service, one might reference this quote to highlight the importance of helping those in need.

More from Martin Luther King, Jr.

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.
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We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.
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Israel... is one of the great outpost of democracy in the world
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One of the greatest casualties of the war in Vietnam is the Great Society... shot down on the battlefield of Vietnam.
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