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If You Answer Every Critic, You Won’t Have Time for Constructive Work
Wisdom from Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today is the anniversary of one of the greatest letters in American history. It was on this day (April 16) in 1963 that the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. penned his famous Letter From a Birmingham Jail.
I encourage you to read the full letter in observance of this anniversary. For this article, I just want to zero in on one nugget of practical wisdom, but please don’t let this day go by without reflecting on the entire letter.
The letter was triggered by a public disagreement between Dr. King and eight clergymen in Alabama. The dispute began on April 12, 1963, when these eight ministers issued a public letter in response to King’s activism in the Birmingham Campaign. King and many others were arrested for their participation in multiple protests that Alabama authorities deemed in violation of local ordinances.
While in solitary confinement, King wrote his famous letter. In its opening lines, Dr. King explains why he is taking the time to write the letter. He writes:
While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities “unwise and untimely.” Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas…
