We must not allow ourselves to become like the system we oppose. We cannot afford to use methods of which we will be ashamed when we look back, when we say, '...we shouldn't have done that.'
Interpretation
We should maintain our integrity even when fighting against a flawed system.
Desmond Tutu emphasizes the importance of adhering to ethical principles while resisting injustice. He cautions against resorting to questionable methods that compromise our values, suggesting that true change can only come from actions we can be proud of in retrospect.
In practice
In a speech about social justice, one could start with this quote to highlight the importance of ethical actions.
The fossil reserves that have already been discovered exceed what can ever be safely used. Yet companies spend half a trillion dollars each year searching for more fuel. They should redirect this money toward developing clean energy solutions
As much as the world has an instinct for evil and is a breeding ground for genocide, holocaust, slavery, racism, war, oppression, and injustice, the world has an even greateer instinct for goodness, rebirth, mercy, beauty, truth, freedom and love.
When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.
Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are.
Religion is like a knife: you can either use it to cut bread, or stick in someone's back.
Gaza is going to test who believes in the worth of human beings.
Since Sept. 11, many of the wars of our generation are in the Muslim world. So as a woman, I have access to 50 percent of the population that my male colleagues don't.
Right out of high school I never had the fear of getting beat, which is how most people lose.
All my life I believed I became an athlete through my own determination, but it's impossible to think that being descended from slaves hasn't left an imprint through the generations.
We had no alternative except that of preparing for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and national community.
On becoming soldiers we have not ceased to be citizens.
Violence ravaged my life. I was a victim of hatred, and I have dedicated my life to reversing that hatred.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.