Martin Luther King Jr. on Knowledge
1929–1968 United States
← All quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.
5 quotes
Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Strength to Love (1963)
We recognize that his hate grows out of fear, pride, ignorance, prejudice, and misunderstanding, but in spite of this, we know God's image is ineffably etched in being.
Love is creative, understanding goodwill for all men. It is the refusal to defeat any individual. ... Love is understanding, redemptive goodwill for all men, so that you love everybody, because God loves them.
Agape is something of the understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill for all men. It is a love that seeks nothing in return. It is an overflowing love; it’s what theologians would call the love of God working in the lives of men. And when you rise to love on this level, you begin to love men, not because they are likeable, but because God loves them.
Love is understanding, redemptive goodwill for all men, so that you love everybody, because God loves them. You refuse to do anything that will defeat an individual, because you have agape in your soul. And here you come to the point that you love the individual who does the evil deed, while hating the deed that the person does. This is what Jesus means when he says, "Love your enemy." This is the way to do it. When the opportunity presents itself when you can defeat your enemy, you must not do it.