"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice" - King Jr.

 "I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice." - Theodore Parker

 These are eschatological statements. History has a shape, an arc and moves towards some end.