MLK quotation clarification: my thoughts
Hey, I reposted and shared it too because I agreed with the sentiment and knew part of the quote to be King’s:
I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, 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.
I am no formal scholar of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but the poster on my wall, MLK-quotation-stamped necklace around my neck and eight books on my shelf may hint I am slightly obsessed. I’ve read his works closely, studied his speeches intently and immersed myself in his ideology. After reviewing my beloved anthology, A Testament of Hope (which was in no way an exhaustive review of his every line, but rather a confirmation of where I thought I’d seen these words before) this is what I think (in case you cared):
No, the first line is not in any of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s texts, but I would argue that the sentiment is in line with what King preached. The rest of the quotation does show up in his writing. The quote is excerpted from the book Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? which was written (or, more accurately, compiled and edited) amid King’s grueling travel/speaking schedule. The book draws most of its content from previously delivered sermons and speeches, which were then polished for written presentation.
Where Do We Go from Here : Chaos or Community? Chapter 2: Black Power, Section 3 (p. 594)
“Are we seeking power for power’s sake? Or are we seeking to make the world and our nation better places to live. If we seek the latter, violence can never provide the answer. The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence, you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. 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.”
From the sermon, Where Do We Go From Here? (p. 249):
“And so I say to you today that I still stand by nonviolence. And I am still convinced that it is the most potent weapon available to the Negro in his struggle for justice in this country. And the other thing is that I am concerned about a better world. I’m concerned about justice. I’m concerned about brotherhood. I’m concerned about truth. And when one is concerned about these, he can never advocate violence. For through violence you may murder a murderer but you can’t murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar but you can’t establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate. Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that.”
Not an exact quote, but an earlier iteration of the sentiment appears in The Strength To Love, Chapter 14: Antidotes For Fear, Section 3 (p. 514):
“Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear; only love can do that. Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life, love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”
[note: reading the text of one of Rev. Dr. King’s sermons does virtually no justice to the power in his delivery.]
If you read even one of King’s books or essays or listen to one of his speeches, I think you’ll agree that this quote is in line with King’s ideology. I encourage you to read one of his books or essays. Get off the beaten path of pull quotes and excerpted sermons. Immerse yourself in a full version of one of his arguments, particularly toward the end of his career, as he began speaking out against the Vietnam War. His philosophy (and its evolution throughout his career) is beautiful.
Judging by its popularity, there’s a universal truth in this constructed quote. Please don’t discredit the somber caution and firm, challenging appeal to hope in the words shared today. We need it.
