Mahatma Gandhi, also known as the “Father of the Nation” in India, was a profound thinker, leader, and advocate of non-violence. His words continue to inspire millions around the world. Below is a collection of Mahatma Gandhi’s quotes in English:
On Truth and Non-Violence
- “Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained.”
- “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.”
- “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
- “Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.”
- “Truth is by nature self-evident. As soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear.”
On Life and Purpose
- “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
- “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
- “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
- “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
- “The future depends on what you do today.”
On Freedom and Independence
- “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”
- “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
- “The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall. He frees himself and shows the way to others. Freedom and slavery are mental states.”
- “Real freedom is not the absence of restraint but the presence of justice.”
- “Freedom is not given, it is taken.”
On Strength and Courage
- “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
- “A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.”
- “It is easy to stand in a crowd, but it takes courage to stand alone.”
- “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
- “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
On Simplicity and Humility
- “Live simply so that others may simply live.”
- “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”
- “It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
- “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”
- “The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”
On Education and Knowledge
- “Literacy in itself is no education. Literacy is not the end of education or even the beginning.”
- “True education must correspond to the surrounding circumstances or it is not a healthy growth.”
- “Education is the basic tool for the development of consciousness and the reconstitution of society.”
- “By education, I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man—body, mind, and spirit.”
- “Knowledge gained through experience is far superior and many times more useful than bookish knowledge.”
On Peace and Harmony
- “There is no path to peace. Peace is the path.”
- “Peace is its own reward.”
- “If we are to teach real peace in this world, we shall have to begin with the children.”
- “The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.”
- “Harmony can only exist where there is truth.”
On Leadership and Service
- “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
- “A leader is useless when he acts against the promptings of his own conscience.”
- “Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served.”
- “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”
- “Leadership is not about power, but about service.”
On Faith and Spirituality
- “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul.”
- “Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.”
- “God has no religion.”
- “The essence of all religions is one. Only their approaches are different.”
- “My life is my message.”
On Perseverance and Determination
- “Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.”
- “A ‘No’ uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a ‘Yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.”
- “Glory lies in the attempt to reach one’s goal and not in reaching it.”
- “Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.”
- “It is the quality of our work which will please God and not the quantity.”
On Love and Compassion
- “Where there is love, there is life.”
- “Love is the strongest force the world possesses.”
- “Compassion is the basis of morality.”
- “The law of love could be best understood and learned through little children.”
- “Love never claims, it ever gives.”
On Self-Discipline and Self-Control
- “Self-control is the key to success.”
- “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”
- “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”
- “Self-respect knows no considerations.”
- “The only tyrant I accept in this world is the ‘still small voice’ within me.”
On Humanity and Unity
- “The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane.”
- “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.”
- “All humanity is one undivided and indivisible family.”
- “I do not want to foresee the future. I am concerned with taking care of the present.”
- “The culture of nations is to be judged by their treatment of minorities.”
On Justice and Equality
- “Justice that love gives is a surrender; justice that law gives is a punishment.”
- “All men are born equal, but it is their habits that make them different.”
- “Equality of status and opportunity is the birthright of every individual.”
- “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
- “The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires a change of heart.”
On Health and Well-Being
- “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”
- “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
- “The body is the temple of the soul. Keep it pure and clean.”
- “Health is the foundation of all happiness and progress.”
- “A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in this world.”
On Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
- “Forgiveness is choosing to love. It is the first sign of a loving heart.”
- “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.”
- “Reconciliation is the key to peace.”
- “Forgiveness is the ornament of the brave.”
On Work and Action
- “Action expresses priorities.”
- “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.”
- “Work without faith and prayer is like an artificial flower that has no fragrance.”
- “Action is the foundational key to all success.”
- “The best work is done with the heart, not just the hands.”
On Fear and Courage
- “Fear has its use, but cowardice has none.”
- “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality that guarantees all others.”
- “Fearlessness is the first requisite of spirituality.”
- “A man who is swayed by fear cannot act with courage.”
- “Fear is the enemy of progress.”
On Patience and Persistence
- “To lose patience is to lose the battle.”
- “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
- “Persistence is the key to success.”
- “Patience is the companion of wisdom.”
- “The path to success is paved with patience and persistence.”
On Hope and Optimism
- “In the midst of darkness, light persists.”
- “Hope is the anchor of the soul.”
- “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.”
- “Hope is the companion of power and the mother of success.”
- “The future depends on what we do in the present.”
These quotes reflect Gandhi’s timeless wisdom on life, leadership, peace, and humanity. His teachings continue to inspire people worldwide to live with purpose, compassion, and integrity.