"Soyez paisible soyez courtois obéissez à la loi respectez tout le monde mais si quelqu'un vous met la main dessus envoyez-le au cimetière"

This quote is all about balance. It emphasizes the importance of being peaceful, courteous, and law-abiding while also standing firm and defending yourself when necessary. On the one hand, it encourages respect and proper behavior, but it doesn't suggest passivity in the face of aggression. It's saying you should be kind and respectful, but if someone tries to harm you, you have every right to defend yourself — with force if needed.

Historically, this quote is attributed to Malcolm X, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. He was known for advocating for the rights of African Americans, sometimes promoting a more forceful approach to self-defense compared to other civil rights leaders of his time, like Martin Luther King Jr. His context was a period of intense racial discrimination and violence against African Americans, so his words were a call for self-respect and the right to protect oneself in a hostile environment.

Think of it this way: imagine a school where bullying is rampant. There’s a student, Alex, who’s generally known for being kind and follows the rules strictly. Alex believes everyone deserves respect and tries to be courteous to everyone, even the bullies. One day, a bully decides to pick on Alex, pushing him around and trying to start a fight. Alex tries to walk away, staying true to his principles of peace and respect. But the bully doesn’t stop and gets physical. At that moment, Alex remembers his father’s advice: “Be respectful, but if anyone lays a hand on you, stand your ground.” So, Alex defends himself, not because he wants to fight, but because he needs to protect himself. The bully learns that Alex is not an easy target and leaves him alone.

How can you apply this in real life? Start by being the person who respects others and follows the law. Be courteous and peaceful in your everyday interactions. But also learn to recognize when someone is trying to take advantage of you or hurt you. It’s about finding that inner strength to stand up when it really counts. Take a self-defense class or just learn to assert yourself verbally in difficult situations. It doesn’t mean you’re looking for a fight — it means you’re prepared to protect yourself and those you care about.

Now, let’s say you’re at work. You’re generally a nice colleague, always offering to help and never causing any trouble. One day, a co-worker starts undermining you, taking credit for your work, and even spreading false rumors. At first, you might think it’s best to ignore it and stay peaceful. But as it gets worse, you realize you need to stand up for yourself. So you gather evidence of your work, document the false claims, and have a firm, respectful conversation with your manager about what’s happening. Your actions send a clear message: you won’t let someone walk all over you. You’re peaceful, but you’re also ready to defend your integrity.

In essence, it’s about being kind without being a pushover. Be the best version of yourself, but never let anyone take your kindness for weakness. That’s the true balance the quote is getting at — a blend of respect and resilience.