Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.
The son of a senior government official, Gandhi was born and raised in a Hindu Bania community in coastal Gujarat, and trained in law in London. Gandhi became famous by fighting for the civil rights of Muslim and Hindu Indians in South Africa, using new techniques of non-violent civil disobedience that he developed. Returning to India in 1915, he set about organizing peasants to protest excessive land-taxes. A lifelong opponent of "communalism" (i.e. basing politics on religion) he reached out widely to all religious groups. He became a leader of Muslims protesting the declining status of the Caliphate. Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, increasing economic self-reliance, and above all for achieving Swaraj—the independence of India from British domination. His spiritual teacher was the Jain philosopher/poet Shrimad Rajchandra.
“I cannot teach you violence, as I do not myself believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your heads before any one even at the cost of your life.”
“To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.”
“Truth never damages a cause that is just.”
“There is no 'way to peace,' there is only 'peace.”
“To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest.”
“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or democracy?”
“If we are to reach real peace in the world, we shall have to begin with the children.”
“(When asked what he thought of Western civilization): 'I think it would be a good idea.”
“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.”
“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”
“Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.”
“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”
“A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”
“You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results.”
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
“I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.”
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
“Where there is love there is life.”
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”