"A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan"

This quote by Martin Luther King Jr. is a cautioning about the repercussions of a society that fails to cultivate strong-minded people. He is suggesting that if a nation or civilization continues to produce soft-minded guys, it will eventually lead to its own spiritual death. This is due to the fact that soft-minded guys lack the self-control and conviction to stand up for what is best and to make challenging decisions. Without strong-minded individuals, a society will be unable to make development and will eventually succumb to its own weaknesses. King is cautioning that if a country or civilization does not take actions to cultivate strong-minded individuals, it will be destined a sluggish and unpleasant death.