--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I decide on the basis of conscience. A…" description: "\"I decide on the basis of conscience. A genuine leader doesn't reflect consensus, he molds consensus.\" — Martin Luther King, Jr" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84a/martin-luther-king-jr-127_bases_i-decide-on-the-basis-of-conscience-a-ge_1905455.png" --- # I decide on the basis of conscience. A genuine leader… ![“I decide on the basis of conscience. A genuine leader doesn't reflect consensus, he molds consensus.” quote by Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84a/martin-luther-king-jr-127_bases_i-decide-on-the-basis-of-conscience-a-ge_1905455.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84a/martin-luther-king-jr-127_bases_i-decide-on-the-basis-of-conscience-a-ge_1905455.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84a/martin-luther-king-jr-127_bases_i-decide-on-the-basis-of-conscience-a-ge_1905455.png) > “I decide on the basis of conscience. A genuine leader doesn't reflect consensus, he molds consensus.” [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. A true leader follows conscience, shaping public opinion rather than merely echoing it. **In simple terms:** Leaders follow conscience, shape consensus. Key Takeaway Lead with conscience, shape consensus. Themes leadership conscience influence Mood determined inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - political campaigns - organizational change - community organizing Key Concepts Ethics social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal conscience with public pressure? - When is it appropriate to reshape consensus? A Different Perspective Leaders may face resistance when challenging prevailing views. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Consensus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consensus/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) ## Related quotes > [A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/a-genuine-leader-is-not-a-searcher-for-consensus-but-a-molder-of/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Ultimately a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ultimately-a-genuine-leader-is-not-a-searcher-for-consensus-but-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A negative and toxic person never feels teased with the genuine presence of the pretenders in his network and he always feels pleased with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/a-negative-and-toxic-person-never-feels-teased-with-the-genuine/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [I think any genuine leader today has to learn leadership the hard way-by doing it. 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They lead to empower and give power away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/a-true-leader-doesn-t-lead-to-gain-power-they-lead-to-empower-and/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) ## More by Martin Luther King, Jr > [The strong man holds in a living blend strongly marked opposites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-strong-man-holds-in-a-living-blend-strongly-marked-opposites/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Our nation was born in genocide when it embraced the doctrine that the original American, the Indian, was an inferior race. ... We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/our-nation-was-born-in-genocide-when-it-embraced-the-doctrine-that/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. 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