the moral arc of the universe quote

Seth Brooks, pastor of the First Parish church of Malden, Massachusetts as reported in the Lowell Sun newspaper. It's important to note that, while King popularized this quote, he didn't conceive it.

Could you examine this topic?Look at the facts of the world. No attribution was given: In 1940 a version was included in a New Year’s message by Rabbi Jacob Kohn in Los Angeles.

Fourteen days after the original article was published the columnist reprinted the relevant excerpt from Parker’s sermon as published in 1853 and then praised his words. He did not just say things; he thought about them and found historical references to support what he was saying.This was critical as someone of less character and reasoning would come nowhere close to the success King’s message has. Further, Kings use of history to advance his message just shows his understanding and intelligence. Like a number of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s most famous pronouncements, that proclamation was, itself, a quotation. Woven around the border are some of President Obama's favorite historical quotes, including one from Martin Luther King, Jr.: The arc of the moral universe is …

Yes, ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’” (Note: King has those words in quotes because he was actually citing 19 … )Update History: On June 28, 2015 the date of “Ten Sermons of Religion” was specified as 1853. Martin … Here is where he found the quote:It is profound that 100 years passed and the struggle for equality still existed. Ere long all America will tremble.The words of Parker’s sermon above foreshadowed the Civil War fought in the 1860s. Justice will not fail and perish out from the world of men, nor will what is really wrong and contrary to God’s real law of justice continually endure.In 1918 a concise instance of the expression similar to the modern version was printed in a book titled “Readings from Great Authors” in a section listing statements attributed to Theodore Parker: The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.Here are additional selected citations in chronological.A Euclid Avenue church which displays weekly epigrams on its bulletin board, has this current offering: A newspaper reader recognized that the statement was based on the words of Theodore Parker and notified the columnist. In other words, the struggle for civil rights is worth it, because it will eventually reach a positive conclusion. This quote embodies this like no other.It is not surprising Dr. King so eloquently adopted words spoken by another visionary more than 100 years after the fact and confirms he was no slouch in studying and applying historical references.

The bibliographical note had the correct date of 1853, but within the main body of the article the date previously indicated was 1857. You see a continual and progressive triumph of the right. "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." Special thanks to David Weinberger who pointed out that “Ten Sermons of Religion” was published in 1853. The arc is a long one, and our eyes reach but a little way; we cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; but we can divine it by conscience, and we surely know that it bends toward justice.

Born in Lexington, Massachusetts, in 1810, Parker studied at Harvard Divinity School and eventually became an influential transcendentalist and minister in the Unitarian church. He was a true visionary that understood how valuable history is. His message of equality through peaceful means stands the test of time. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I do not pretend to understand the moral universe, the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways.