TOP 9 Mahatma Gandhi Quotes (with meaning)
Who is Mahatma Gandhi?
Mahatma Gandhi, also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was a political and spiritual leader of India who played a key role in India's struggle for independence from British rule. He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in present-day Gujarat, India.
Gandhi was a weak and shy child, but he had a passion for learning. He completed his early education in India and later went to England to study law. After completing his education, he returned to India and began practicing law, but he was not very successful.
In 1915, Gandhi was recruited by the Indian National Congress, a political organization that was working towards India's independence from British rule. He quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the Congress's most prominent leaders.
Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance, or satyagraha, was a major factor in India's independence movement. He believed that peaceful protest and civil disobedience were more effective in achieving political goals than violence. He led several successful non-violent campaigns, including the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 and the Salt March in 1930.
Gandhi's philosophy and actions inspired civil rights and freedom movements around the world, including the American civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr.
Gandhi's efforts were not without consequence, he was arrested several times by the British government, spending a total of nearly seven years in prison. Nevertheless, his non-violent campaigns and peaceful protests forced the British government to consider the Indian independence movement more seriously, and in 1947, India was granted independence.
However, the independence came with a cost, the partition of India and Pakistan lead to an immense number of deaths and displacement of people.
Gandhi continued to work for the betterment of India, focusing on issues such as poverty, education, and caste discrimination. He was assassinated on January 30, 1948, by a Hindu nationalist who opposed his philosophy of tolerance and nonviolence.
Gandhi's contributions to India's independence and his philosophy of nonviolence have had a lasting impact on the world. He is often referred to as the "Father of the Nation" in India, and his birthday, October 2, is celebrated as a national holiday in India, known as Gandhi Jayanti.
Mahatma Gandhi's life and teachings continue to inspire people around the world to use nonviolence as a means for social and political change. His legacy is a testament to the power of peaceful protest and the potential for one person to effect change on a global scale.
Mahatma Gandhi Quotes
Mahatma Gandhi is known for his powerful and inspiring quotes on topics such as nonviolence, peace, and social justice. Here are some of his famous quotes and their meanings:
Quote 1
"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."
Quote Meaning: This quote means that only strong individuals are capable of forgiveness, as it takes a lot of inner strength and humility to forgive someone who has wronged you.
Quote 2
"Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man."
Quote Meaning: This quote means that the power of nonviolence is greater than any weapon of war or destruction created by human ingenuity. Gandhi believed that nonviolence is the most powerful force available to humanity for resolving conflicts and achieving peace.
Quote 3
"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems."
Quote Meaning: This quote means that the gap between what people are capable of doing and what they actually do is significant and that if people were to close this gap, they could solve many of the world's problems.
Quote 4
"An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind."
Quote Meaning: This quote is a warning against the cycle of violence and revenge, it means that if everyone took an eye for an eye, eventually, the whole world would be blind. Gandhi believed in the power of forgiveness and nonviolence to break this cycle.
Quote 5
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."
Quote Meaning: This quote means that true strength does not come from physical ability, but from an unbreakable determination and willpower.
Quote 6
"The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members."
Quote Meaning: This quote means that the true measure of a society's moral character is how it treats its most vulnerable members, such as the poor, the sick, and the marginalized.
Quote 7
"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems."
Quote Meaning: This quote means that the gap between what people are capable of doing and what they actually do is significant, and that if people were to close this gap, they could solve many of the world's problems.
Quote 8
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Quote Meaning: This quote means that true happiness comes from being in alignment with your thoughts, words and actions.
Quote 9
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
Quote Meaning: This quote means that the best way to discover your own purpose and identity is to serve others and work for the greater good.
These quotes illustrate Gandhi's belief in nonviolence, self-improvement and also his deep understanding of human nature. His words continue to inspire people around the world to strive for peace and social justice.