Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, is… — Martin Luther King Jr. | Printable Wall Art

“Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, is it politic? But conscience asks the question, is it right?”

Words by Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) — Civil rights leader.

About this quote

This statement contrasts three motives behind human decisions: fear, political convenience, and moral duty. While fear seeks security and self-interest seeks popularity, true leadership and personal integrity demand doing what is morally correct. King reminds us that taking a stand often requires ignoring self-preservation and expediency in favour of a higher moral principle, regardless of the personal cost.

Martin Luther King Jr. delivered these words in a speech titled A Proper Sense of Priorities in February 1968. He repeated the thought in his final sermon shortly before his death later that year.

People often hang this print in a study or office as a daily reminder to act with moral conviction.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 18 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Tracked Caps Unsigned · Editorial Justified

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.