"قدرت علمی ما از قدرت معنوی ما پیشی گرفته است. ما موشکهای هدایت شده و مردان گمراه داریم."

Let’s break this down. The main idea here is that our technological and scientific advancements have raced ahead of our moral and ethical development. Think about it: we’ve created incredible machinery and technology—things that can do so much good—but we haven’t necessarily matched that with the same progress in our wisdom or integrity. It’s like having the power to travel to the moon but using it to throw rocks at each other.

This quote comes from Martin Luther King Jr., a key figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. He said this during the 20th century when the world was witnessing rapid technological growth, especially during the Cold War era. The U.S. and the Soviet Union were locked in a space race and an arms race. New weapons were being developed at a mind-boggling pace. But alongside this progress, there were glaring social issues—racism, inequality, and a lack of basic human rights for many.

Imagine a drone. It’s a remarkable piece of technology. It can be used to deliver medical supplies to remote areas, saving lives. But if used with misguided intentions, it can also be a weapon of destruction. Take, for example, the use of drones in areas of conflict. On the one hand, they can provide critical surveillance to protect lives. On the other hand, they can be used to carry out strikes that sometimes harm innocent civilians. So, here we have the same technology, but the outcomes depend significantly on the intentions and ethics of those controlling it.

Now, how can you apply this wisdom to your life? Start by thinking about the tools and power you have at your disposal. Are you using them responsibly? For instance, social media is a powerful platform. You can use it to spread positivity, awareness, and support for good causes. Or it can be used to bully, spread misinformation, or create discord. Reflect on the impact your actions have and strive to align your abilities with a strong ethical compass.

Think about Sarah, a software engineer who developed a brilliant app to track environmental changes. Initially, it was meant to help scientists monitor deforestation. But then a company offers her a boatload of money to tweak the app so it could track movements of people for targeted advertising. Sarah’s at a crossroads. The easier path is to take the money. But she thinks about the broader implications and decides to stick with her original purpose. She understands that her skills shouldn’t just advance technology—they should advance humanity.

In our everyday lives, we’re constantly faced with choices that test our moral compass. Are you pushing for that promotion by stepping on your colleagues, or are you helping others along the way? Are you using your talents for selfish gains, or are you contributing to the well-being of your community?

So, the next time you’re about to make a decision, big or small, ask yourself: Is this the best use of my abilities? Am I advancing just my interests, or am I contributing to a better world? It’s a constant balancing act, but recognizing this divergence—between our scientific prowess and our ethical responsibility—is the first step in ensuring that we’re not just advancing, but advancing wisely and compassionately.