Six Principles of Nonviolence

by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.

• It is active nonviolent resistance to evil. 
• It is assertive spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. 
• It is always persuading the opponent of the justice of your cause.

Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.

• The end result of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation. 
• The purpose of nonviolence is the creation of the Beloved Community.

Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people.

• Nonviolence holds that evildoers are also victims.

Nonviolence holds that voluntary suffering can educate and transform.

• Nonviolence willingly accepts the consequences of its acts. 
• Nonviolence accepts suffering without retaliation. 
• Nonviolence accepts violence if necessary, but will never inflict it. 
• Unearned suffering is redemptive and has tremendous educational and transforming possibilities. 
• Suffering can have the power to convert the enemy when reason fails.

Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.

• Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit as well as of the body.
• Nonviolent love gives willingly, knowing that the return might be hostility. 
• Nonviolent love is active, not  passive.
• Nonviolent love does not sink to the level of the hater. 
• Love for the enemy is how we demonstrate love for ourselves. 
• Love restores community and resists injustice. 
• Nonviolence recognizes the fact that all life is interrelated.

Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.

• The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.