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Thoreau Vs King

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Words are the most compelling drugs used by humanity. In “Resistance to Civil Government” and “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, Thoreau and King showed that if words are used properly in society, they can make a difference. Injustice is a huge deal for both Thoreau and King. They talked about their beliefs and told people to stand up for themselves in the government. If they really want something, they need to speak up, no matter what the consequence will be. Thoreau and King’s beliefs are similar as they both believe men are inherently moral, but have been ruined by society, and a natural state is necessary; and they respected the law and saw the good and bad in the government.
Thoreau and King both believed all people were born with a good …show more content…

King says, “I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscious tells him is unjust, and willingly accepts the penalty by staying in jail to arouse the conscious of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the very highest respect for the law” (256). He is saying if people break a law for a just cause and facing and accepting its consequence, then that person is being respectful and responsible. King and Thoreau both highly respected laws because they have experienced them and know what they are capable of. Furthermore, Thoreau and King believed that there was good and bad in the government. They never said that all government systems are terrible and corrupt. They said they weren’t applied correctly. Thoreau asked for “not at once no government, but at once a better government” (250). He says that the government is necessary, but needed to be improved. King believed that there are some instances when a law is just on its face and unjust in its application. He was correct in his beliefs like a law may appear correct on paper. However, when it is practiced, it is unfair and not applicable to the situation anymore. King spent his life “expressing the very highest respect for the law.” Therefore, he had faith in the government and was hoping it could be just one

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