King's Counsel Trivia Quiz

Answer: Chisels

Dr King called this speech "The Casualties of the War in Vietnam" and delivered it on February 25, 1967 at the Nation Institute, Los Angeles. The quote in context is: "The past is prophetic in that it asserts loudly that wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows. One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means."

King lists the numerous costs, both political and social, due to the Vietnam war. He would later build upon these themes in the celebrated "Beyond Vietnam" speech.

Answer: Justice

In his "Stride Toward Freedom" book, published in 1958 King said "True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice". In this book he recounts the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955-1956 and describes the conditions of African Americans living in Alabama during the era, also outlining his non-violence stance.

To protest segregated seating, African Americans refused to ride city buses in Montgomery, Alabama, after the stance taken by Rosa Parks resulted in her arrest and a fine. The number of those supporting the protest by refusing to ride on the bus service was 40,000-50,000. The boycott ended when the federal court determined that the segregation violated the 145th amendment.

Answer: Power

This quote was originally delivered as part of "The Man Who Was a Fool" sermon, one of the Noon Lenten Services, delivered for the Detroit Council of Churches in early 1961. Preaching this sermon at the city's Central Methodist Church, the Reverend King says the reason for the rich fool's spiritual death is his failure "to realise his dependence on God" and states, "We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools." Later, when commenting on the Vietnam war in book "Strength to Love" published in 1963, King used the quote again, emphasising the need to depend on God's power rather than engaging in war.

Answer: Wheels

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's gave speech at Southern Methodist University on March 17, 1966, at an event organised by the SMU Student Senate. While the event was closed to the public, the 2,700-seat McFarlin Memorial Auditorium, built through the generous donations of San Antonio businessman Robert M. McFarlin, was filled to overflowing by faculty and students. It was reported that King, who spoke for about one hour, did not use notes.

In the speech, King highlighted the strides the U.S. nation made towards overcoming the inequalities in society and mentioned a speech by President John F Kennedy, who said that civil rights was a moral issue, not just an economic or political. King said: "President Kennedy submitted to Congress the most comprehensive civil rights package ever presented by any president of our nation. Congress debated the issue for several months; finally that bill was passed, signed by President Johnson on July 2, 1964." The legacy of these two men can still be felt today.

Answer: Misguided

This quote came from King's 1963 "Strength to Love" series. Some of this series was written while incarcerated for holding a prayer vigil outside Albany City Hall. "Strength to Love" was a collection of sermons that King had wanted to publish for some time, with a "heavy emphasis on permanent religious values, rather than on topical events". Among the fifteen chapters (sermon titles) are "Our God is Able"; "Antidotes for Fear"; "A Tough Mind and a Tender Heart" and "Love in Action".

Answer: Disappointment

Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke these words in a Washington, D.C. just a few short months before he was assassinated in Memphis. However, he had previously used this phrase in a sermon in 1959 when speaking about Paul's unfulfilled desire to take a missionary journey to Spain. King explains that indulging oneself in misery because of life's disappointments leads to a warped character.

Instead, looking to the infinite hope, Jesus, would put things into perspective and help up find joy in our circumstances.

Answer: Stone

Martin Luther King, Jr., was born in 1929. His "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope" quote came from his "I Have A Dream" speech given in Washington, DC on August 28, 1963. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial park in Washington DC is engraved with numerous quotes from this articulate and thoughtful man, and this particular quote provides the theme of the overall design of the memorial, which is crafted from rock and stone.

Answer: Right

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." was said as part of Dr King's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, in Oslo, Norway, in 1964. The Prize motivation was cited: "for his non-violent struggle for civil rights for the Afro-American population."

King entered Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1944 at the age of 15, because he was such a gifted student. He had earlier skipped two grades in school.

Answer: Ignorance

King preached "Love in Action" in April 1960, in a sermon that focusses on Jesus' words on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34, NIV). King uses the illustration of God's unfailing love in forgiving the blindness and ignorance of mankind to illustrate how we should approach others.

King also points out the capacity of Jesus to actually do what He says, while in our case, while we might have noble ideals, we are are often unable to fulfil them. He notes in the same sermon "Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude," and recommends this approach for daily living. The "Love in Action" sermon was one of those included in his book "Strength to Love" published in 1963.

Answer: Character

When Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote in the Morehouse College campus newspaper, the Maroon Tiger, on "The Purpose of Education" in 1947 in Atlanta, Georgia, he discussed various aspects of education, emphasising the a balance of learning to think logically and incisively.

He says: "Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction." This short article still rings true today and is well worth a read.