Quotes about Compassion
In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
But the absence of brutality and unregenerate evil is not the presence of justice. To stay murder is not the same thing as to ordain brotherhood.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
One of the first principles of nonviolence is a willingness to be the recipient of violence, while never inflicting violence on another.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
To believe in nonviolence does not mean that violence will not be inflicted upon you. The believer in nonviolence is the person who will willingly allow himself to be the victim of violence but will never inflict violence upon another.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate and evil. The greatest way to do that is through love. I believe firmly that love is a transforming power than can lift a whole community to new horizons of fair play, goodwill, and justice.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that we will be able to make of this old world a new world....Love is the only way.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
A third reason why we should love our enemies is that love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. We never get rid of an enemy by meeting hate with hate; we get rid of an enemy by getting rid of enmity.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation. We must move past indecision to action...If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.