Mahatma Gandhi Quotes

Powerful Mahatma Gandhi for Daily Growth

About Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), born as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was a profound political and spiritual leader who shaped the course of India's struggle for independence and is revered globally as the Father of the Nation. Born in Porbandar, Gujarat, India, he was the son of a local chief whose principles deeply influenced his life. At 18, Gandhi moved to England to study law, where he experienced racial discrimination that fueled his commitment to nonviolent activism. Returning to India in 1891, he struggled initially in a law practice in Rajkot and then was hired by an Indian firm in South Africa to handle legal affairs of the Indian community facing racial prejudice. In South Africa, Gandhi faced segregation and violence that further reinforced his beliefs in nonviolent resistance. He led numerous protests, such as the 1893 Transvaal agitation against a new law requiring Indians to register for residential permits. These experiences led him to develop his philosophy of satyagraha (truth force), which combined elements of Hinduism, Jainism, and Christianity in pursuit of nonviolent resistance. In 1915, Gandhi returned to India and immersed himself in the Indian National Congress, a prominent political organization advocating for independence from British rule. He led several prominent campaigns, including the Quit India movement of 1942 that demanded an end to British colonialism. Gandhi's major works include 'Hind Swaraj' (1909), which expounded his philosophy of nonviolence and self-rule, and his tireless efforts in the Salt March of 1930, a demonstration against the British monopoly on salt production. His life and teachings, including principles like truth, non-violence, and compassion, continue to inspire social movements around the world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

This famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi encourages individuals to take personal responsibility for making positive changes in their environment, rather than waiting for others to do so. Essentially, it means that if one wants to witness a better world, they should start by changing themselves first and then contribute to the greater change within their own sphere of influence. In other words, be an example of the positive change you aspire for and inspire others around you to do the same.


"In a gentle way, you can shake the world."

Mahatma Gandhi's quote, "In a gentle way, you can shake the world," emphasizes the power of peacefulness and non-violence in effecting significant change. It suggests that one need not resort to aggression or force to make a profound impact on society, but rather, by being kind, compassionate, and persistent, one can bring about transformative and enduring change. This quote underscores the idea that small, gentle actions can create powerful ripples, leading to global impact over time.


"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

This quote suggests that self-discovery and personal growth can be achieved most effectively through selfless service to others. By focusing on the needs and wellbeing of others, one may uncover their true strengths, passions, and values – essentially discovering who they are at a deeper level. This approach encourages empathy, humility, and a sense of purpose that goes beyond individual interests, fostering a more fulfilling and meaningful life.


"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind."

Mahatma Gandhi's quote "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind" suggests that retaliation or revenge in kind will perpetuate a cycle of violence, causing harm to all parties involved and ultimately leading to a world where everyone is blind to compassion, understanding, and peace. It encourages empathy, forgiveness, and non-violence as alternative responses to conflict, promoting harmony and unity instead.


"Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

The quote emphasizes the futility of using hatred to counteract hatred. Instead, it suggests that only love can effectively combat hatred. In other words, responding to negativity with more negativity doesn't solve problems or foster peace. By embracing love and compassion, we can work towards overcoming hatred and promoting harmony.


You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Society, Lose, Dirty, Faith

A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Perfect, Including, Became, Easter

If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Storm, Living, Last, Faith

A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.

- Mahatma Gandhi

History, Small, Fired, Faith

When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Beauty, Religion, Soul, Creator

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Best, Find, Best Way, Yourself

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

- Mahatma Gandhi

Hands, Reward, Infinite, Striving

I have worshipped woman as the living embodiment of the spirit of service and sacrifice.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Service, Woman, Living, Worshipped

Man is supposed to be the maker of his destiny. It is only partly true. He can make his destiny, only in so far as he is allowed by the Great Power.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Destiny, Allowed, Maker, Great Power

Sense perceptions can be and often are false and deceptive, however real they may appear to us. Where there is realization outside the senses, it is infallible. It is proved not by extraneous evidence but in the transformed conduct and character of those who have felt the real presence of God within.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Senses, Evidence, However, Deceptive

Gentleness, self-sacrifice and generosity are the exclusive possession of no one race or religion.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Race, Self-Sacrifice, Generosity

Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Love, Power, Based, Punishment

A principle is the expression of perfection, and as imperfect beings like us cannot practise perfection, we devise every moment limits of its compromise in practice.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Practice, Like, Principle, Devise

It is easy enough to be friendly to one's friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion. The other is mere business.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Business, Other, Friendly, Quintessence

An unjust law is itself a species of violence. Arrest for its breach is more so.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Unjust, Breach, Itself, Arrest

Action expresses priorities.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Action, Priorities, Expresses

Religion is a matter of the heart. No physical inconvenience can warrant abandonment of one's own religion.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Own, Matter, Warrant, Abandonment

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.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Non-Violence, Inseparable, On And Off

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 the holy name of liberty or democracy?

- Mahatma Gandhi

Democracy, Dead, Holy, Homeless

To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Live, Believe, Something, Dishonest

I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Equality, Reporters, Photographers

Man's nature is not essentially evil. Brute nature has been known to yield to the influence of love. You must never despair of human nature.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Love, Nature, Been, Yield

It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Feel, Always, Been, Honoured

The essence of all religions is one. Only their approaches are different.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Religions, Only, Essence, Approaches

Nobody can hurt me without my permission.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Strength, Me, Permission, Hurt

A vow is a purely religious act which cannot be taken in a fit of passion. It can be taken only with a mind purified and composed and with God as witness.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Religious, Which, Purely, Purified

All compromise is based on give and take, but there can be no give and take on fundamentals. Any compromise on mere fundamentals is a surrender. For it is all give and no take.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Fundamentals, Give, Based, Compromise

A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Love, Brave, Exhibiting, Prerogative

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

- Mahatma Gandhi

Culture, Soul, Nation, Hearts

I took the vow of celibacy in 1906. I had not shared my thoughts with my wife until then, but only consulted her at the time of making the vow. She had no objection.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Thoughts, Took, Shared, Vow

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