If at first you don't speak up......
By Avichail
@Avichail (694)
Indonesia
February 12, 2007 8:30am CST
In Germany, they came first for the communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionists.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was nobody left to speak up...
-Pastor Martin Niemoller (1892-1984)
1 person likes this
1 response
@anyablue (363)
• United States
12 Feb 07
That is a very touching quote, and so true. I think it really relates to our times now too. There is so much injustice in the world today that requires our attention. But I think a lot of people don't bother because (like your quote) if it doesn't happen to them it is not important. Maybe I'm too much of an idealist, but we should all care about sufferings of others. And its important to remind ourselves we can never do enough.
@Avichail (694)
• Indonesia
13 Feb 07
Well Anya, that makes the two of us. And I also learnt that each of us has our own lot/portion. Sometimes we see suffering so severe that it totally tear our heart apart, yet the only thing we can do is to pray and hope that when our turn to take action arrives, we'll be brave to execute it.
Thanks for joining in, I appreciate your thoughts here!
