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Not only will we have to repent for the sins of bad…

“Not only will we have to repent for the sins of bad people; but we also will have to repent for the appalling silence of good people.” quote by Martin Luther King Jr
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““Not only will we have to repent for the sins of bad people; but we also will have to repent for the appalling silence of good people.””

Martin Luther King Jr

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Good people must not stay silent about injustice, otherwise their silence becomes complicit in wrongdoing.

In simple terms: Silence of the good is as harmful as bad deeds.

Key Takeaway

Speak out against injustice.

Themes

justice responsibility silence

Mood

determined urgent

Type

activist ethical

When to use this quote

  • public protest
  • community leadership
  • ethical decision making

Key Concepts

moral duty social activism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What injustices are you staying silent about?
  • How can you encourage others to speak up?
A Different Perspective

Silence may be driven by fear or self‑preservation.

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