--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We will have to repent in this generation…" description: "\"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/665/martin-luther-king-jr-127_action_we-will-have-to-repent-in-this-generatio_2319583.png" --- # We will have to repent in this generation not merely for… ![“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.” quote by Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/665/martin-luther-king-jr-127_action_we-will-have-to-repent-in-this-generatio_2319583.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/665/martin-luther-king-jr-127_action_we-will-have-to-repent-in-this-generatio_2319583.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/665/martin-luther-king-jr-127_action_we-will-have-to-repent-in-this-generatio_2319583.png) > “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.” [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. Good people must speak out, not stay silent, to counteract evil actions and words. **In simple terms:** Silence of the good enables bad. Key Takeaway Speak up against injustice. Themes justice morality activism Mood hopeful determined Type inspirational political When to use this quote - community meetings - online activism - workplace discrimination - family discussions Key Concepts ethics social responsibility civic duty Questions to Reflect On - What injustice will you confront? - How can you encourage others to break their silence? A Different Perspective Speaking out can bring personal risk or backlash. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Bad people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-people/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Good people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-people/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [This generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-generation/) [Words and actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-and-actions/) ## Related quotes > [“It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. 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