“Property is intended to serve life, and no matter how much we surround it with rights and respect, it has no personal being. It is part of the earth man walks on. It is not man.”
- January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968
- African American
- Pastor and civil rights leader
- He led the movement to abolish racial discrimination in the United States and contributed to the establishment of the Civil Rights Act
Quote
“Property is intended to serve life, and no matter how much we surround it with rights and respect, it has no personal being. It is part of the earth man walks on. It is not man.”
Explanation
In this quote, King reminds us that property and material possessions are tools meant to support human life, not define it. He emphasizes that no matter how valuable or respected property might be, it lacks the essence of humanity—it is, ultimately, just part of the earth. This distinction underscores King’s belief that human life and dignity are infinitely more important than material wealth.
King spoke these words at a time when economic inequality was a pressing issue, as it continues to be today. He believed that an excessive focus on property and wealth could lead people to value possessions over people, perpetuating systems of inequality and distracting from the pursuit of social justice. For King, the real measure of a society lies not in its wealth, but in its compassion and commitment to the well-being of its people.
Today, his words serve as a powerful reminder in a world often dominated by consumerism and materialism. They encourage us to view property as a means to an end rather than an end in itself. For instance, using wealth to support community programs, educational initiatives, or healthcare aligns with the idea of property serving life, rather than becoming an obsession. King’s message calls us to prioritize human values, empathy, and service over the accumulation of wealth, ensuring that property remains a tool to improve lives, not a measure of personal worth.
