"An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law"
- Martin Luther King Jr.
About this Quote
Martin Luther King Jr. is suggesting that when a specific breaks a law that they think to be unjustified, and willingly accepts the charge of jail time, they are actually showing the greatest respect for the law. By doing this, they are trying to draw attention to the injustice of the law and to encourage the neighborhood to acknowledge and address the concern. This is a powerful declaration, as it suggests that the individual wants to sacrifice their own freedom in order to bring attention to the injustice of the law. It is a reminder that laws must be respected, however that they ought to also be questioned and challenged when they are seen to be unfair.
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