Gandhi's Quotes & Sayings

India is going to be the 21st century's Saudi Arabia in terms of human resources — Rahul Gandhi

Mankind is one, seeing that all are equally subject to the moral law. All men are equal in God's eyes. — Mahatma Gandhi

To run away from danger, instead of facing it, is to deny one's faith in man and God, even one's own self. It were better for one to drown oneself than live to declare such bankruptcy of faith. — Mahatma Gandhi

Third-class passengers are treated like sheep and their comforts are sheep's comforts. — Mahatma Gandhi

So many people around the world have used nonviolence as a way to resolve a conflict that they faced in their lives. And they continue to use it everywhere all over the world there. And I think, in a way, nonviolence is our nature. Violence is not really our nature. If violence was our nature, we wouldn't need military academies and martial arts institutes to teach us how to kill and destroy people. We ought to have been born with those instincts. But the fact that we have to learn the art of killing means that it's a learned experience. And we can always unlearn it. — Arun Manilal Gandhi

For perhaps the first time in public, he used the neutral 'Africans' instead of the pejorative 'Kaffirs'. The change in language reflected a deeper change in his way of thinking about the world. When he first came to South Africa, Gandhi had pleaded for Indians to be distinguished from Africans, whom he then considered 'uncivilized'. Now, fifteen years later, he brought all races within a single ambit. They all had similar hopes, and would one day have the same rights. In the future, Indians and Africans would be absolutely free men, mingling with Boers and Britons in a nation where one's citizenship did not depend on the colour of one's skin. — Ramachandra Guha

While in Bombay, I began, on one hand, my study of Indian law and, on the other, my experiments in dietetics in which Virchand Gandhi, a friend, joined me. My brother, for his part was trying his best to get me briefs. The study of India law was a tedious business. The Civil Procedure Code I could in no way get on with. Not so however, with the Evidence Act. Virchand Gandhi was reading for the Solicitor's Examination and would tell me all sorts of stories about Barristers and Vakils. — Mahatma Gandhi

people who have made India awesome aren't all politicians. Most of the people that did this are not from the government. Whether it is entrepreneurs like J.R.D. Tata and N.R. Narayana Murthy, sportspersons like Sachin Tendulkar or musicians like A.R. Rahman, people from all walks of life have helped improve our nation. Not just celebrities, but E. Sreedharan, responsible for the Delhi Metro, and Dr Verghese Kurien, who created the Amul revolution, were all ordinary people doing their work extraordinarily well. Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda, two of the most influential figures in India's history, never held political office. Aim to be one of those people who made India awesome. — Chetan Bhagat

The pursuit of truth does not permit violence on one's opponent. — Mahatma Gandhi

God is not upset that Gandhi was not a Christian, because God is not a Christian! All of God's children and their different faiths help us to realize the immensity of God. — Desmond Tutu

What did you learn?"
"Letting go of my past, because it's all soot, nothing is left
of it, if I wandered there for long I would be running in circles
in the dark, no hope, no life. And if I chose to live in those
places rebuilt from ashes, I can never get rid of the darkness
which would prevail underneath."
"The present is my ray of hope. I could have stayed there,
complaining about the gloominess of the light, and regretting
not having turned a corner to explore a new horizon at the same
time I needed to respect that light because it was my savior from
the dark. I learnt it finally and that's why I reached here today
and found you — Dixy Gandhi

The Charkha is intended to realize the essential and living oneness of interest among India's myriads. — Mahatma Gandhi

When we over consume the Earth's resources, we create an economic imbalance in societies and in the world. Affluent people and affluent societies can afford to buy everything in large quantities. They have an abundance of wealth and think they have the license to waste. They use a great deal and leave others with very little. It is this imbalance between rich and poor that gives rise to crime, violence, prejudice, and other negative attitudes.

When some people cannot get what they need through honest hard work, and see others wasting what is so precious, they feel justified in taking it by force. The Earth can only produce enough for everyone's need, but not for everyone's greed. Our greed and wasteful habits perpetuate poverty, which is violence against humanity. — Arun Gandhi

Truth is superior to man s wisdom. — Mahatma Gandhi

Changing the world doesn't require much money. Again, think in terms of empowerment and not charity. How much were Gandhi's teachers paid? How much did it cost to give Dr. Martin Luther King the books that catalyzed his mind and actions? — Tim Ferriss

I'd like to believe there's a little of Hitler and Napoleon in me. Even if I try, I can't be as selfless as Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa. — Shahrukh Khan

A convert's enthusiasm for his new religion is greater than that of a person who is born in it. — Mahatma Gandhi

Study men laying down their lives without hurting anyone else in the cause of their country's freedom. — Mahatma Gandhi

In the history of a soul's evolution there is a critical point of the human incarnation that decides for us whether we stay there, go down or progress upwards. There is a knot of worldly desires impeding us; cut the knot by mastering desires and go forward. This done, progress is assured. — Virchand Gandhi

A fast to be true must be accompanied by a readiness to receive pure thoughts and determination to resist all Satan's temptations. — Mahatma Gandhi

I had learnt at the outset not to carry on public work with borrowed money. One could rely on people's promises in most matters except in respect of money. — Mahatma Gandhi

Soul-force comes only through God's grace and never descends upon a man who is a slave to lust. — Mahatma Gandhi

A man's true wealth hereafter is the good he has done to his fellowmen. — Mahatma Gandhi

India's freedom will not be won by violence but only by the purest suffering without retaliation. — Mahatma Gandhi

The path of self-purification is hard and steep. One has to become absolutely passion-free in thought, speech and action to rise above the opposing currents of love and hatred, attachment and repulsion. I know that I have not in me as yet that triple purity in spite of constant ceaseless striving for it. That is why the world's praise fails to move me, indeed it very often stings me. To conquer the subtle passions seems to me to be harder far than the physical conquest of the world by the force of arms. — Mahatma Gandhi

Before [Hindus and Moslems] dare think of freedom, they must be brave enough to love one another, to tolerate one another's religion, even prejudices and superstitions, and to trust one another. This requires faith in oneself. — Mahatma Gandhi

I don't believe in anarchy, because it will ultimately amount to the power of the bully, with weapons. Gandhi is my life's inspiration: passive resistance. I don't want to live in the Thunderdome with Mad Max. — John Lydon

The dry knowledge of the three R's is not even now, it can never be, a permanent part of the villagers' life. — Mahatma Gandhi

Let's fight against corruption for a better India — Rahul Gandhi

Man's triumph will consist in substituting the struggle for existence by a struggle for mutual service. — Mahatma Gandhi

If any religion allows you to torture animals or sacrifice an animal for the sake of procuring god's favor, then that is not a religion. It is an absurd practice of inhumanity. — Debasish Mridha

In 1931, when Ambedkar met Gandhi for the first time, Gandhi questioned him about his sharp criticism of the Congress (which, it was assumed, was tantamount to criticising the struggle for the Homeland). "Gandhiji, I have no Homeland," was Ambedkar's famous reply. "No Untouchable worth the name will be proud of this land."61 — B.R. Ambedkar

"All men are born equal and free" is not Nature's law in the literal sense. — Mahatma Gandhi

The most distinctive and largest contribution of Hinduism to India's culture is the doctrine of ahimsa. — Mahatma Gandhi

Infinite striving to be the best is man's duty; it is its own reward. Everything else is in God's hands. — Mahatma Gandhi

There's no God higher than truth. — Mahatma Gandhi

When young people see movies like 'Gandhi 'or 'JFK,' there is an element of romanticization of these powerful people, and young people often feel a huge distance between their own lives and the lives of these social-change heroes. But the Panthers were flawed-up people from the streets, so it's easier to identify with them. — Mario Van Peebles

A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people. — Mahatma Gandhi

Blood is thicker than water - and many see something ridiculous, or worse, about anyone who doesn't know this. In his discussion of Gandhi's autobiography, George Orwell expresses admiration for Gandhi's courage but is repelled by Gandhi's rejection of special relationships - of friends and family, of sexual and romantic love. Orwell describes this as "inhuman," and goes on to say: "The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection, that one is sometimes willing to commit sins for the sake of loyalty, that one does not push asceticism to the point where it makes friendly intercourse impossible, and that one is prepared in the end to be defeated and broken up by life, which is the inevitable price of fastening one's love upon other human individuals." To — Paul Bloom

Bapu Ghandi said, "All religions are true." I just want to love God, " I blurted out, and looked down, red in the face.
My embarassment was contagious. No one said anything. It happened that we were not far from the statue of Gandhi on the esplanade. Stick in hand, an impish smile on his lips, a twinkle in his eyes, the Mahatma walked. I fancy that he heard our conversation, but that he paid even greater attention to my heart, Father cleared his throat and said in a half-voice, " I suppose that's what wer're all trying to do - love God. — Yann Martel

Renunciation is everyone's prerogative. — Mahatma Gandhi

Civil disobedience has almost always been about expression. Generally, it's nonviolent, as defined by Henry David Thoreau, Gandhi, and King. — Marvin Ammori

However, it's usually random acts of good intent, like this one, which get you into the worst trouble in the long run. They say that if you want to change the world then you should be that change you want to see. Well that's what Gandhi said and see what they did to him. Ya, random acts of good intent are the ones that just might get you killed. The further you stick your neck out for others the more likely it's going to chopped, or at least get a large heavy albatross around it. — Andrew James Pritchard

I consider Western Christianity in its practical working a negation of Christ's Christianity. — Mahatma Gandhi

In a self-respecting India, is not every woman's virtue as much every man's concern as his own sister's? — Mahatma Gandhi

To fill our lives with joy, the morning sun touches our hearts with the warmth of her kindness and the light of her love. Let us be like the sun touch someone's life with kindness every morning. — Debasish Mridha

Free, open love I have looked upon as dog's love. Secret love is, besides, cowardly. — Mahatma Gandhi

Virtue lies in being absorbed in one's prayers in the presence of din and noise. — Mahatma Gandhi

Indeed one's faith in one's plans and methods is truly tested when the horizon before one is the blackest. — Mahatma Gandhi

I used to think only people like Mother Teresa and Gandhi had a mission in life. We all have one. How do you find it? You listen to your life.

All those dead-end jobs? There's no such thing. In God's economy, nothing is ever wasted. The dots all connect in time. — Regina Brett

That the good of the individual is contained in the good of all. (2) That a lawyer's work has the same value as the barber's inasmuch as all have the same right of earning their livelihood from their work. (3) That a life of labour, i.e., the life of the tiller of the soil and the handicraftsman is the life worth living. — Mahatma Gandhi

The mantram becomes one's staff of life and carries one through every ordeal. Each repetition has a new meaning, carrying you nearer and nearer to God. — Mahatma Gandhi

But success and failure are of no account. They are God's concern, not mine. — Mahatma Gandhi

After long study and experience, I have come to the conclusion that (1) all religions are true; (2) all religions have some error in them; (3) all religions are almost as dear to me as my own Hinduism, in as much as all human beings should be as dear to one as one's own close relatives. — Mahatma Gandhi

Did Indira Gandhi ask for somebody's permission to carry out the test in 1974? — Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Every memory is precious. It is more precious when it is a memory of a baby's smile. — Debasish Mridha

I will far rather see the race of man extinct than that we should become less than beasts by making the noblest of God's creation, woman, the object of our lust. — Mahatma Gandhi

To find truth completely is to realize oneself and one's destiny, i.e. to become perfect. — Mahatma Gandhi

The credit system has encircled this beautiful globe of ours like a serpent's coil, and if we do not mind, it bids fair to crush us out of breath. — Mahatma Gandhi

Such is my bliss that I fail to see,
You're surreal, you're a fantasy
If it's a dream, don't wake me
In this heaven just let me be
Let me be lost, and never be found
To Walk away with you, spellbound. — Dixy Gandhi

It's more important to put the own heart in the prayer than to put other's words with nothing of the own heart. — Mahatma Gandhi

We have nothing. We solace ourselves with the great men of our tribe, the Gandhi and the Nehru, and we castrate ourselves. 'Here, take my manhood and invest it for me. Take my manhood and be a greater man yourself, for my sake! — V.S. Naipaul

Non-co-operation is the nation's notice that it is no longer satisfied to be in tutelage. — Mahatma Gandhi

There is a scene in Richard Attenborough's biopic where Gandhi argues with his wife because she refuses to clean their latrine. She says it is the work of untouchables; he tells her there is no such thing. Gandhi's tactics of encouraging brotherly love across caste boundaries and urging Indians to clean their own latrines had failed miserably. — Rose George

Glory lies in the attempt to reach one's goal and not in reaching it. — Mahatma Gandhi

Violence is the fear to other's ideals. — Mahatma Gandhi

There are sufficient resources on this planet to answer the needs of all, but not enough to satisfy everyone's greed. — Mahatma Gandhi

The states can make the finest contribution to the building of India's future independence if they set the right example in their own territories. — Mahatma Gandhi

It's very dangerous to mix up the words natural and habitual. We have been trained to be quite habitual at communicating in ways that are quite unnatural. — Mahatma Gandhi

King and Gandhi had found a way to use aggressive impulses to resist injustice without hurting others. Where did the aggression go? The answer, as King would later tell Poussaint, was this: into the courage needed to resist without fighting back physically... — S. Nassir Ghaemi

I must refuse to believe that the Germans contemplate with equanimity the evacuation of cities like London for fear of destruction to be wrought by man's inhuman ingenuity. — Mahatma Gandhi

How do you know if the next act you are about to do is the right one or the wrong one? Consider the face of the poorest and most vulnerable human being that you have ever chanced upon, and ask yourself if the act that you contemplate will be of benefit to that person; and if it will be, it's the right thing to do, and if not, rethink it. — Mahatma Gandhi

He who runs may see that opium and such other intoxicants and narcotics stupefy a man's soul and reduce him to a level lower than that of beasts. — Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi's ideas were rooted in a wide experience of a freshly globalized world. — Pankaj Mishra

I love you every day as if it is Valentine's day. — Debasish Mridha

God alone is the judge of true greatness because He knows men's hearts. — Mahatma Gandhi

Punishment is God's. He alone is the infallible Judge. — Mahatma Gandhi

God in his wisdom circumscribed man's vision, and rightly too, for otherwise man's conceit would know no bounds. — Mahatma Gandhi

If Hitch were a person, he'd be Mother Theresa or Gandhi or someone who treated all living creatures with the respect they deserve. It's depressing how my dog is a better human being than I am. — McCall Hoyle

I believe that just as everyone inherits a particular form so does he inherit the particular characteristics and qualities of his progenitors, and to make this admission is to conserve one's energy. — Mahatma Gandhi

There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed. — Mahatma Gandhi

Non-co-operation is a nation's determination to improve. — Mahatma Gandhi

Restraint never ruins one's health. What ruins it,is not restraint but outward suppression. A really self-restrained person grows every day from strength to strength and from peace to more peace. The very first step in self-restraint is the restraint of thoughts. — Mahatma Gandhi

I'm not suffering Trisha, I've never suffered all these years, someone long back taught me by example that its very easy to be content with one's solitude. I've enjoyed mine all these years. — Dixy Gandhi

Gandhi's idea of swadeshi-that local societies should put their own resources and capacities to use to meet their needs as a basic element of freedom-is becoming increasingly relevant. We cannot afford to forget that we need self-rule, especially in this world of globalization. — Vandana Shiva

Behind my non-cooperation there is always the keenest desire to cooperate on the slightest pretext even with the worst of opponents. To me, a very imperfect mortal, ever in need of God's grace, no one is beyond redemption. — Mahatma Gandhi

Now, as to the view that this is how anyone who had suffered imperialism or colonialism would behave: no, it's not. Entire countries such as India, were colonized. There's a difference between what's happening in Iraq with the so-called Islamic State's attempted genocide of the Yazidi community and how Gandhi acted in India. Let's take Iraq as a case study and think about it: What does killing the Yazidi population on Mount Sinjar have to do with US foreign policy? What does enforcing headscarves (tents, in fact) on women in Waziristan and Afghanistan, and lashing them, forcing men to grow beards under threat of a whip, chopping off hands, and so forth, have to do with US foreign policy? — Sam Harris

On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, I salute every individual who honors the core values of his legacy, making him proud of humanity. — Widad Akreyi

Oh my Valentine! I want to wake up and enjoy every sunrise with you and vanish into your hand at the sunset of my life. — Debasish Mridha

In the East, as in the West, newspapers are fast becoming people's Bible, Koran, Zend-Avesta and Gita all rolled into one. — Mahatma Gandhi

I feel Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence was for the intelligent, educated British.It was not for those who don't understand this language. — Raj Thackeray

The basis of Gandhi's nonviolence is to appeal to the good in others and evoke sympathy to one's cause through self-suffering. — Arun Gandhi

Even under Apple founder Steve Jobs, the company did emphasize values. Remember the Think Different ad campaign that used pictures of the Dalai Lama, Amelia Earhart, Mahatma Gandhi? But Jobs focused on the integrity of Apple's products. — Laura Sydell

It is for us to make the effort. The result is always in God's hands. — Mahatma Gandhi

Illness or disease is only Nature's warning that filth has accumulated in some portion or other of the body; and it would surely be the part of wisdom to allow Nature to remove the filth, instead of covering it up with the help of medicines. — Mahatma Gandhi

Who can say thus far, no further, to the tide of his own nature? Who can erase the impressions with which he is born? It is idle to expect one's children and wards necessarily to follow the same course of evolution as oneself. — Mahatma Gandhi

I never supported violence. Before the formation of TMC, I was a member of the Congress Party. Gandhi's Congress. Non-violence is a philosophy that runs deep. — Mamata Banerjee

What has appealed to me most in Tolstoy's life is that he practiced what he preached and reckoned no cost too great in his pursuit of truth. — Mahatma Gandhi

Have a bias toward action - let's see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away. — Indira Gandhi

I am Plato's Republic. Mr. Simmons is Marcus. I want you to meet Jonathan Swift, the author of that evil political book, Gulliver's Travels! And this other fellow is Charles Darwin, and-this one is Schopenhauer, and this one is Einstein, and this one here at my elbow is Mr. Albert Schweitzer, a very kind philosopher indeed. Here we all are, Montag. Aristophanes and Mahatma Gandhi and Gautama Buddha and Confucius and Thomas Love Peacock and Thomas Jefferson and Mr. Lincoln, if you please. We are also Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. — Ray Bradbury