Morarji Desai Quotes

Powerful Morarji Desai for Daily Growth

About Morarji Desai

Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (1896-1995) was an influential Indian political figure, serving as the Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979. Born in Gujarat on February 29, 1896, Desai was a key member of the Indian National Congress and played crucial roles in India's struggle for independence. Desai's political journey began early when he joined the Congress Party at the age of 17. He participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 and was imprisoned several times for his activism. After India's independence, Desai served as the Home Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru's Cabinet from 1951 to 1964. In 1967, he became the first non-Congress Chief Minister of Gujarat. In 1977, following corruption charges against the ruling Indian National Congress party, Desai led a coalition government that included the Janata Party and Bharatiya Jana Sangh (later known as the BJP). As Prime Minister, Desai implemented several significant reforms, including the removal of subsidies on food grains and the liberalization of foreign investment policies. However, his tenure was marred by economic instability and political turmoil, ultimately leading to his resignation in 1979. Post-politics, Desai remained active in social work and continued to serve as a respected elder statesman. He passed away on April 10, 1995, at the age of 99, leaving behind a rich legacy as one of India's most influential political leaders. In terms of major works, Desai is remembered for his book "Myttik Ane Mera Jeevan" (Mythic and My Life), which provides insights into his life and political career. His quotes, such as "The secret of all achievements is to begin without waiting until you're sure you're ready," continue to inspire generations.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Truthfulness is the highest virtue."

Morarji Desai's statement "Truthfulness is the highest virtue" emphasizes that honesty, integrity, and transparency are the most important values in life. This quote underscores the belief that truthfulness should be prioritized above all else as it builds trust, fosters respect, and promotes harmony among individuals and within society. By being truthful, we maintain our moral character, strengthen relationships, and contribute to a more ethical world.


"Corruption-free administration can be achieved when all people in it are honest."

This quote emphasizes that an administration free from corruption can only be attained if every individual within it upholds honesty. It suggests that the key to eradicating corruption lies not just in the system or policies, but primarily in the personal integrity of those who serve in positions of power. Essentially, Desai is saying that the foundation of a corruption-free administration rests on the honesty and moral character of its members.


"The first duty of a leader is to uphold the unity of the country."

This quote emphasizes that the primary responsibility of a leader lies in preserving and strengthening national unity. In other words, leaders should prioritize maintaining peace, harmony, and cohesion within their countries over all else. The underlying message is that a unified country is the foundation upon which strong, effective leadership can be built and sustained.


"Education is not only learning of facts, but training of the mind to think."

Morarji Desai's quote emphasizes that education is not just about acquiring information or facts, but also developing critical thinking skills. It suggests that the purpose of education should extend beyond rote learning to nurturing the ability to analyze, reason, question, and solve problems – in essence, training our minds to think independently and creatively. This perspective highlights the importance of fostering a lifelong love for learning and cultivating adaptable, innovative individuals who can navigate an ever-changing world with wisdom and insight.


"Wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, politics without principle, power without impartiality - these are the characteristics which bring a rapid ruin and downfall to nations."

Morarji Desai's quote highlights the destructive consequences of values devoid of essential principles. He suggests that wealth accumulated without effort, enjoyment without moral compass, knowledge without ethical conduct, commerce without integrity, science without compassion, politics without principles, and power without impartiality ultimately lead to rapid decline and downfall for nations. In essence, he emphasizes the importance of hard work, ethics, morality, honesty, compassion, and fairness in all aspects of life as critical factors for national prosperity and stability.


Life at any time can become difficult: life at any time can become easy. It all depends upon how one adjusts oneself to life.

- Morarji Desai

Depends, Difficult, Any, Oneself

For those who believe in God the matter is simpler still and clearly than anything else: because those who believe in God believe that God is the Creator of the whole Universe and there is nothing that does not come from Him.

- Morarji Desai

Nothing, Creator, Still, Simpler

I would, therefore, say that for no reason whatsoever, except in self-defence, should one think of killing any animal.

- Morarji Desai

Think, Reason, Whatsoever, Self-Defence

It is, therefore, a fact that anybody who wants to realise Truth or who wants to be humane, must follow non-violent ways of life, otherwise he will not be able to reach the Truth.

- Morarji Desai

Fact, Otherwise, Humane, Non-Violent

Therefore, vegetarianism alone can give us the quality of com-passion, which distinguishes man from the rest of the animal world.

- Morarji Desai

Rest, Give, Which, Distinguishes

One has got to choose between the two evils, also between the lesser of the two evils in the matter of food, and therefore vegetarian food has got to he taken by man in order to sustain human life.

- Morarji Desai

Choose, Matter, Also, Lesser

We should propagate the values of vegetarianism.

- Morarji Desai

Values, Should, Vegetarianism

I do not say that one who is vegetarian is full of compassion and one who is not, is otherwise. We sometimes find people, who are vegetarians, are very bad people.

- Morarji Desai

Bad, Very, Otherwise, Bad People

From this it follows that con-sideration for other persons or for other living beings is very vital for goodness and want of consideration for other people makes human beings selfish, regardless for other people's good.

- Morarji Desai

Living, Other, Very, Consideration

In the early ages, I believe not much thought was given to what man is and what his real functions should be, and what is the real purpose of his life.

- Morarji Desai

Thought, Given, Functions, Early

An expert gives an objective view. He gives his own view.

- Morarji Desai

View, Expert, His, Objective

As long as man eats animals how can cruelty to animals be removed.

- Morarji Desai

Man, How, Cruelty, Eats

I do not want to go into its physical reasons: the construction of the human body is different from that of carnivorous animals. But man's intelligence is such that it can be utilised to defend any-thing he does, whether right or wrong.

- Morarji Desai

Body, Defend, Reasons, Construction

The vegetarian movement is an ancient movement and is not quite a modern one.

- Morarji Desai

Modern, Movement, Quite, Vegetarian

One can't be kind to one person and cruel to another.

- Morarji Desai

Kind, Person, Another, Cruel

I believe in preventing cruelty to all living beings in any form.

- Morarji Desai

Living, Preventing, Form, Cruelty

If we do not want to be pained by anybody we must not pain anybody; and how can man consider himself humane if he wants to live at the cost of others.

- Morarji Desai

Pain, Cost, Anybody, Humane

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