Quote Details

"The time is always right to do what is right."
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968)

Explanation

“The time is always right to do what is right” is a call to moral urgency. It says you don’t need perfect circumstances, permission, or a grand stage to act ethically-you just need the present moment. The quote pushes back against procrastination and rationalizations (“I’ll speak up later,” “I’ll help when it’s easier”) by insisting that justice is built from everyday choices: telling the truth, standing up for others, refusing to benefit from unfairness, and taking small, consistent actions even when they’re inconvenient.

About the Author

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968) was an American Baptist minister and the most prominent leader of the U.S. civil rights movement. He helped lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott, co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington, and championed nonviolent resistance inspired by Jesus and Gandhi. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, he fought segregation, voter suppression, and economic injustice until his assassination in 1968; his legacy continues to shape movements for equality and human rights worldwide.

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