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There is nothing more dangerous than to build a society with a large segment of people in that society who feel that they have no stake in it; who feel that that have nothing to lose. People who have stake in their society, protect that society, but when they don't have it, they unconsciously want to destroy it.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights the risks of societal disconnect and disenfranchisement.

Martin Luther King, Jr. emphasizes the importance of social inclusion and engagement, suggesting that when individuals feel alienated and lack a sense of ownership or responsibility towards their society, they may resort to destructive behaviors rather than protective ones. This underscores the need for creating a community where everyone feels valued and invested in the collective well-being.

Themes

SocietyStakeDisenfranchisementBelongingResponsibility

In practice

Example use cases

During a lecture on social equity, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of inclusive policies.

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Quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. | QuoteProject