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.
We did not hesitate to call our movement an army. But it was a special army, with no supplies but its sincerity, no uniform but its determination, no arsenal except its faith, no currency but its conscience.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the strength and moral conviction of a movement fueled by sincerity, determination, faith, and conscience rather than physical resources.
In this quote, Martin Luther King Jr. describes the nature of a principled movement, portraying it as a unique army that relies not on traditional weapons or resources, but rather on the powerful qualities of sincerity, determination, faith, and conscience. This metaphor highlights the idea that true strength in a movement comes from unwavering commitment to justice and moral integrity, showcasing how intangible qualities can drive significant change.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire a group project focused on social justice.
More from Martin Luther King, Jr.
All quotes →Music 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
Do not be afraid of seeming different and being criticized for what might seem to be losing or out of fashion; your peers but adults too, especially those who seem more distant from the mindset and values of the Gospel, are crying out to see someone who dares to live according to the fullness of humanity revealed by Jesus Christ.
Someone is always at my elbow reminding me that I am the granddaughter of slaves. It fails to register depression with me.
And having thus chosen our course, without guile, and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear, and with manly hearts.
Voting is no substitute for the eternal vigilance that every friend of freedom must demonstrate towards government. If our freedom is to survive, Americans must become far better informed of the dangers from Washington -- regardless of who wins the Presidency.
No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected.
Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.