The document challenges all people to work untiringly to achieve excellence in their lifework, no matter their occupation. While not all are called to specialized jobs or genius levels, all labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance if done with painstaking excellence, even jobs like street sweeping, which should be done as beautifully as the greatest works of art.

1. WE AREWE ARE CHALLENGEDCHALLENGED

2. We areWe are
challenged onchallenged on
every hand toevery hand to
work untiringlywork untiringly
to achieveto achieve
excellence in ourexcellence in our
lifework.lifework.

3. Not all men are called to specialized or professionalNot all men are called to specialized or professional
jobs; even fewer rise to the heights of genius injobs; even fewer rise to the heights of genius in
the arts and sciences; many are called to bethe arts and sciences; many are called to be
laborers in factories, fields, and streets.laborers in factories, fields, and streets.

4. But no work is insignificant.But no work is insignificant.
All labor that uplifts humanity has dignityAll labor that uplifts humanity has dignity
and importance, and should be undertakenand importance, and should be undertaken
with painstaking excellence.with painstaking excellence.

5. If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he shouldIf a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should
sweep even as Michelangelo painted, orsweep even as Michelangelo painted, or
Beethoven composed music, or ShakespeareBeethoven composed music, or Shakespeare
wrote poetry.wrote poetry.

6. He should sweep streetsHe should sweep streets
so well that all the hostsso well that all the hosts
of heaven and earth willof heaven and earth will
pause to say, “Here livedpause to say, “Here lived
a great street sweepera great street sweeper
who did his job well.”who did his job well.”

7. By:By:
Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.