Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
— Soren Kierkegaard in 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne's Book of Precepts (2014) by R.J. Palacio
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Because you tried...
King did not represent himself as a saint. Posthumous revelations of some of his weaknesses underscored the fact that King, at the time of his death, was still evolving, still on the way to reconciling the logic of his faith with his personal conduct. But nothing detracts from his role as a "drum major of freedom." He said of himself, "I want you to know...that I am a sinner like all God's children. But I want to be a good man. And I want to hear a voice saying to me one day, 'I take you in and I bless you, because you tried.'" King struggled to be more than his weakest qualities. He challenged the church...to do the same.
— Martin Luther King in All Saints (1997) by Robert Ellsberg
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Let me live until I die...
When I first found out I had cancer, I didn't know what to pray for. I didn't know if I should pray for healing or life or death. Then I found peace in praying for what my folks call "God's perfect will." As it evolved, my prayer has become, "Lord, let me live until I die." By that I mean I want to live, love, and serve fully until death comes. If that prayer is answered... how long really doesn't matter. Whether it's just a few months or a few years is really immaterial.
— Sister Thea Bowman in All Saints (1997) by Robert Ellsberg