Loving Your Enemies
This is an excerpt from a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called Loving Your Enemies, presented on November 17, 1957.
…So I want to turn your attention to this subject: “Loving Your Enemies.” It’s so basic to me because it is a part of my basic philosophical and theological orientation—the whole idea of love, the whole philosophy of love. In the fifth chapter of the gospel as recorded by Saint Matthew, we read these very arresting words flowing from the lips of our Lord and Master: “Ye have heard that it has been said, ‘Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.’ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.”
…Now first let us deal with this question, which is the practical question: How do you go about loving your enemies? I think the first thing is this: In order to love your enemies, you must begin by analyzing self. And I’m sure that seems strange to you, that I start out telling you this morning that you love your enemies by beginning with a look at self. It seems to me that that is the first and foremost way to come to an
adequate discovery to the how of this situation.
Now, I’m aware of the fact that some people will not like you, not because of something you have done to them, but they just won’t like you. I’m quite aware of that. Some people aren’t going to like the way you walk; some people aren’t going to like the way you talk. Some people aren’t going to like you because you can do your job better than they can do theirs. Some people aren’t going to like you because other people like you, and because you’re popular, and because you’re well-liked, they aren’t going to like you. Some people aren’t going to like you because your hair is a little shorter than theirs or your hair is a little longer than theirs. Some people aren’t going to like you because your skin is a little brighter than theirs; and others aren’t going to like you because your skin is a little darker than theirs. So that some people aren’t going to like you. They’re going to dislike you, not because of something that you’ve done to them, but because of various jealous reactions and other reactions that are so prevalent in human nature.
But after looking at these things and admitting these things, we must face the fact that an individual might dislike us because of something that we’ve done deep down in the past, some personality attribute that we possess, something that we’ve done deep down in the past and we’ve forgotten about it; but it was that something that aroused the hate response within the individual. That is why I say, begin with yourself. There might be something within you that arouses the tragic hate response in the other individual…
If you have a few moments, I encourage you to read the entire speech. This speech is powerful and timeless. I try to live by this but I have to admit at times how hard it can be to love your enemies. As I get older though, this does seem to come easier than it was for me in high school and college. I have known a lot of people that did not like me because I was smarter than them, lighter than them, more assertive than them, etc.
And I am no better than the next person. I also have judged people by their looks and from what others have told me, in turn deciding that I do not like them. Getting rid of this type of thinking is a journey. A journey that I am willing to take.
Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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But I could never love evil spice… oh, that's an enema, sorry wrong word.
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I love this excerpt…very appropriate for MLK day this week.
I love this excerpt…very appropriate for MLK day this week.
MLKJ was a cool guy and has said a lot of very inspirational words… i wish i coulda been around to meet him and hear some of his sermons in person.
but loving the people who hate you is soooo hard to do! i guess you'll get lotsa blessings because of that :|
The man was a powerful speaker!
It is a great speech. Thanks for sharing!
MLKJ was a cool guy and has said a lot of very inspirational words… i wish i coulda been around to meet him and hear some of his sermons in person.
but loving the people who hate you is soooo hard to do! i guess you’ll get lotsa blessings because of that :|
The man was a powerful speaker!
It is a great speech. Thanks for sharing!
I remember Martin Luther King quite well. and I am extremely glad he was shared with us on this planet.
I REMEMBER: When black people were not allowed to vote without a literacy test .
I REMEMBER: When blacks and whites were not allowed to socialize in public. (With the risk that a black person would be hung from a tree ).
I REMEMBER: When black people had to go to the rear of the bus , and give up their seats to white people.
I REMEMBER: When white and black people were not allowed to sit together in a theater.
I REMEMBER: When black and white were not allowed to eat together in a restaurant.
I REMEMBER: When black and white were not allowed to go to the same schools.
I REMEMBER: When blacks and whites were not allowed to use the same public bathrooms.
I REMEMBER: When a few stood up and had the nerve to say that there had to be change, and it must be done with love in our hearts, and forgiveness in our souls. (THIS WHILE BEING ATTACKED BY BULL CONNER'S POLICE DOGS.)
I pray that Dr.&Mrs; King are happy and reunited in the next step in life.
Todd
I remember Martin Luther King quite well. and I am extremely glad he was shared with us on this planet.
I REMEMBER: When black people were not allowed to vote without a literacy test .
I REMEMBER: When blacks and whites were not allowed to socialize in public. (With the risk that a black person would be hung from a tree ).
I REMEMBER: When black people had to go to the rear of the bus , and give up their seats to white people.
I REMEMBER: When white and black people were not allowed to sit together in a theater.
I REMEMBER: When black and white were not allowed to eat together in a restaurant.
I REMEMBER: When black and white were not allowed to go to the same schools.
I REMEMBER: When blacks and whites were not allowed to use the same public bathrooms.
I REMEMBER: When a few stood up and had the nerve to say that there had to be change, and it must be done with love in our hearts, and forgiveness in our souls. (THIS WHILE BEING ATTACKED BY BULL CONNER’S POLICE DOGS.)
I pray that Dr.&Mrs King are happy and reunited in the next step in life.
Todd
What a great speech. But to love thy enemy boy that’s such a hard thing to do. I know the world would be a better place if we could all do so. But it’s really hard. Really, really, really hard.
Saku
http://www.lovehinagallery.com
What a great speech. But to love thy enemy boy that's such a hard thing to do. I know the world would be a better place if we could all do so. But it's really hard. Really, really, really hard.
Saku
http://www.lovehinagallery.com
I’ve never read the entirety of this speech but came across your blog today and decided to go ahead and read it. Such wonderful words from an amazing man. What a timeless speech that gives meaning to so many things that go on today. Thanks for the post.
I've never read the entirety of this speech but came across your blog today and decided to go ahead and read it. Such wonderful words from an amazing man. What a timeless speech that gives meaning to so many things that go on today. Thanks for the post.
MLK’s speeches never gets old. One of the all time great speakers.
MLK's speeches never gets old. One of the all time great speakers.