In times of crisis there are a variety of speeches and quotes that have become hallmark expressions. With Martin Luther King, Jr. it was, "I have a dream." For Abraham Lincoln it was his memorable speech, the Gettysburg Address. For Winston Churchhill it was, "We will never surrender." Even if I just mention famous names you would associate their famous quotes or speeches such as, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mother Teresa, George MacArthur, and Florence Nightingale. The list goes on. During great times of national struggle and triumph, there are those that rise to leadership.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
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Edmund Burke is credited for saying this quote. This famous line has been quoted often during great crises. It is a famous line that is both motivational and triumphant. It evokes a sense of duty and is a rally call that unites.
The Irish philosopher is recognized as the one of the greatest leaders and the father of the conservative party in England and also in modern days, he is credited for his conservative thought and politics. His writings and thoughts in modern days has evoked a sense of responsibility for people. We must be people of action is essentially what he is saying.
While it often has been attributed to him in great speeches including the Inaugerational speech of John F. Kennedy, yet, in reality, there are serious doubts that he actually said it. It is true, however that he did similar things like this in his early writings.
Nevertheless, it is quotes like this one that carries through generations.
"...quotations from Burke and Mill are conceptually related to the quote under examination, but neither expression is close textually. In October of 1916 Charles F. Aked used a maxim in a speech that was similar but not identical."
No matter the origin of the authorship, this quote is worthy of examination.
Today I want to spend just a few moments attributing my thoughts to this famous quote. For good men to do nothing carries with it a dramatic overture that causes us to stop and ask, what would happen if no one took action? This quote is not just directed toward men of course, it is for everyone.
Each generation seems to have those that step forward to lead. Nelson Mandela is such an example. Leading in Africa through civil inequality and bringing hope for all meant that he stood out as a leader.
Each of us can look around and see the inequalities of those oppressed. We raise the banner of hope. Like Nelson Mandela, famous for saying, "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." His positive, hope-filled attitude, even while even being imprisoned made a difference.
For me at this time of my life i am bringing hope to the vulnerable children in foster care. Each of us must decide that we will act through compassion and love in order to make a difference in the lives of another. Even against the current pressures we may face, through adversity and hardship, we are called to action.
Often what keeps us going in the midst of adversity and trial is hope. Hope is the only thing stronger than fear. We have a vision beyond ourselves for the good of all. This encourages us to be people of courage and conviction. It challenges us to be people of action. To do nothing is to allow evil to succeed.
You might say that I’m a bit obsessed about the history of World War II. I just can’t help myself. I often read articles and watch TV programming on that time in history. My wife often says to me, "Why do you like Hitler so much?" What she doesn’t understand is that it’s not Hitler that I’m interested in but rather the history of this war. Hitler just happens to be center stage during that war. When we think of evil, nothing comes to mind worse than to think about the holocaust in such terrible times as World War II. For Hitler to succeed, all he really needed is for good people to do nothing. That’s exactly what happened when the French sought for peace. He marched his army over the borders with an invasion of little resistance.
All throughout the war there were many who failed to act when they could have prevented such atrocities. Even the United States of America failed to enter the war at first, while only supplying military arsenal, they stayed out of the war until the attack on Pearl Harbor. Over and over we see examples of good people doing nothing.
No matter who ultimately made the statement the profound truth and its application in our every day life. The sin of omission, that is to do nothing, has great consequences. To turn the blinds eye or to say it’s not my problem are excuses that keep us from action. We know all to well the consequences of inaction.
As we look to the scripture we find that even Jesus could be cited as making a similar statement when he said that we are to do unto the least of these around us. He warned us in the scripture that we are not to be like those who do nothing.
Matthew 25:44-45 | Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
For good men to do nothing should be a quote that is attributed to no one. Each one of us can do something and should take action to make a difference.
