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Jawaharlal Nehru Quotes

Powerful Jawaharlal Nehru for Daily Growth

About Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964), an integral figure in India's struggle for independence and the nation's first Prime Minister, was born on November 14, 1889, to Motilal Nehru, a prominent lawyer, and Swarup Rani in Allahabad. Growing up in a politically active family, Nehru was deeply influenced by his father and the nationalist movement. He studied at Harrow School in England and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he developed a passion for Western thought and ideas. Upon returning to India, Nehru joined the Indian National Congress and became involved in non-violent civil disobedience movements under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership. He was imprisoned several times, most notably during the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 and Quit India Movement in 1942. In 1947, India achieved independence, and Nehru became its first Prime Minister. His tenure saw a number of significant policy decisions, including the adoption of a democratic constitution and the pursuit of a non-aligned foreign policy. Nehru's government also initiated numerous five-year plans to spur economic growth and social reform. Nehru was a prolific writer and orator, penning several influential works such as "The Discovery of India," "Glimpses of World History," and "Toward Freedom." His writings reflected his deep commitment to secularism, democracy, and the principles of non-violence. Nehru's impact on India extends beyond politics. He played a crucial role in shaping the nation's identity as a democratic, secular republic, influencing generations with his vision for an independent India. His birthday, November 14, is celebrated annually as Children's Day in India. Jawaharlal Nehru passed away on May 27, 1964.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Freedom and fear can hardly coexist."

This quote emphasizes the inherent incompatibility between freedom and fear. Fear typically arises from constraints, limits, or threats, which directly oppose the concept of freedom - the ability to act or think without such constraints. Therefore, if a person is truly free, they cannot experience deep-seated fear because their actions and thoughts are not bound by external influences. Conversely, an environment dominated by fear can never be considered truly free due to its suppressive nature. In essence, Nehru suggests that freedom and fear exist as mutually exclusive states.

"The future is not mine to see."

This quote by Jawaharlal Nehru expresses the human inability to predict or fully comprehend what lies ahead, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the future. It underscores the importance of living in the present, acknowledging our limitations, and focusing on the actions we can take today that will shape tomorrow.

"If you want to make progress, you've got to risk failure."

This quote by Jawaharlal Nehru emphasizes the inseparable relationship between progress and risk-taking. It suggests that in order to advance or move forward, one must be willing to confront the possibility of failure. This perspective encourages individuals to step out of their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and pursue their goals with perseverance and resilience, knowing that growth and learning often occur through trials and setbacks. It underscores the importance of taking calculated risks as an essential part of personal development and achieving one's full potential.

"The first law of a new India should be equal rights for women."

This quote by Jawaharlal Nehru emphasizes the importance of gender equality in post-independence India, signaling that a just and progressive nation must guarantee equal rights and opportunities for all its citizens, regardless of gender. This statement reflects a commitment to breaking down historical inequalities and paving the way towards an equitable society where everyone can participate fully and equally.

"Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind."

This quote by Jawaharlal Nehru emphasizes that non-violence, rather than physical power or coercion, holds immense potential as the most effective tool for change in human society. It suggests that when individuals choose peace over aggression, they can collectively create a profound impact, bringing about transformation with minimal destruction and maximum harmony. This idea is rooted in the belief that unity, understanding, and mutual respect among people surpass the temporary victories gained through violence. The quote underscores the notion that non-violence transcends physical strength and serves as a potent force for peaceful coexistence and progress.

Obviously, the highest type of efficiency is that which can utilize existing material to the best advantage.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Efficiency, Which, Material, Existing

I have become a queer mixture of the East and the West, out of place everywhere, at home nowhere.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Nowhere, East, Queer, Mixture

You don't change the course of history by turning the faces of portraits to the wall.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Change, Course, Turning, Portraits

Failure comes only when we forget our ideals and objectives and principles.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Failure, Forget, Ideals, Objectives

The forces in a capitalist society, if left unchecked, tend to make the rich richer and the poor poorer.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Rich, Capitalist, Poorer, Richer

It is the habit of every aggressor nation to claim that it is acting on the defensive.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Habit, Nation, Aggressor, Claim

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Beauty, Wonderful, Them, Open

A theory must be tempered with reality.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Reality, Theory, Must, Tempered

The only alternative to coexistence is codestruction.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Only, Alternative, Coexistence

The person who runs away exposes himself to that very danger more than a person who sits quietly.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Away, Himself, Very, Runs

Socialism is... not only a way of life, but a certain scientific approach to social and economic problems.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Only, Scientific, Social, Economic

Time is not measured by the passing of years but by what one does, what one feels, and what one achieves.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Measured, Feels, Does, Passing

Great causes and little men go ill together.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Men, Go, Causes, Little Men

The purely agitational attitude is not good enough for a detailed consideration of a subject.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Not Good Enough, Purely, Consideration

The man who has gotten everything he wants is all in favor of peace and order.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Peace, Favor, Gotten, Order

It is only too easy to make suggestions and later try to escape the consequences of what we say.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Only, Later, Too, Escape

A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new; when an age ends; and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

New, Nation, Which, Suppressed

Let us be a little humble; let us think that the truth may not perhaps be entirely with us.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Humble, Think, Let Us, Entirely

Democracy and socialism are means to an end, not the end itself.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

End, Means, Itself, Socialism

To be in good moral condition requires at least as much training as to be in good physical condition.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Training, Condition, Least, Requires

Without peace, all other dreams vanish and are reduced to ashes.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Peace, Other, Ashes, Vanish

Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Game, Play, Cards, Hand

Facts are facts and will not disappear on account of your likes.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Will, Disappear, Your, Account

Loyal and efficient work in a great cause, even though it may not be immediately recognized, ultimately bears fruit.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

May, Efficient, Though, Bears

Our chief defect is that we are more given to talking about things than to doing them.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Doing, Chief, Given, Defect

Citizenship consists in the service of the country.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Service, Country, Consists, Citizenship

Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Peace, Mind, Serenity, Peaceful

Action itself, so long as I am convinced that it is right action, gives me satisfaction.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

I Am, Itself, Convinced, Gives

The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Being, Too, Cautious, Risk

The person who talks most of his own virtue is often the least virtuous.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Person, Most, His, Virtuous

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