33 quotes from Gandhi to understand his philosophy

Gandhi’s phrases continue to be a source of inspiration to this day. The pacifist leader par excellence has had a great impact on our way of thinking, where his spirituality, his simplicity of heart and his philosophy of non-violence constitute a unique legacy. Few figures in our history have urged us so much to live in peace and according to the truth.

Experts in the work of Mahatma Gandhi say that his thought was tremendously multifaceted and that his philosophy can be quite complex at times, so that several volumes would be needed to try to describe it. However, there is no shortage of those who, with the intention of facilitating the path for all those who wish to delve deeper into his work for the first time, have divided Gandhi’s philosophy into 4 pillars: non-violence, Sarvodaya (socially engaged Buddhism) and the Satyagraha (the strength of the soul) and the search for truth.

There are four well-defined areas but linked to each other and where religious ideas harmonized with their social ideals, and where in turn a clear purpose, a contained hope, emerged: urge humanity to trust in itself, to convince ourselves that we are capable of creating positive changes in our society, also achieving better and higher moral development.

Gandhi’s best phrases about non-violence

These brief testimonies contained in simple phrases by Gandhi are collected in several of his books.. From them, we sense almost instantly that we are not dealing with the work of someone who wanted to transmit to the world a rigid, inflexible or markedly rigorous doctrine. On the contrary, they are a set of principles that invite us to reflect and that can be applied to any area of ​​our life from which to understand, for example, that there is nothing so basic to break the circle of violence as love, dialogue or respect for the other.

Hence We propose that you read and analyze them calmly, free of prejudices, bare of worries and willing to receive small learnings that are still very current.

1. You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; If some drops are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty

Ahimsa It is a concept that comes from Sanskrit and from which emerges that philosophy so characteristic of Gandhi where non-violence and respect for life is advocated.

Likewise, it should be said that if there was something that defined him it was his unwavering hope in humanity, hence It will encourage the population to have a positive attitude of tolerance, patience and charity where they will never lose faith in human beings.

2. Violence is the fear of the ideals of the other

This is one of Gandhi’s most famous phrases and the one that most defines the essence of his philosophy: we must not be afraid of what is different, we must not fear those who think differently, those who hold an opinion opposite to ours. This anxiety towards “the other” is a symptom of weakness.

3. An eye for an eye and the whole world will be blind

Violence only begets violence. Humanity must stop using aggression, revenge and hatred as a form of language. The only thing we achieve with this is to chronicle evil.

4. Hatred and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding

Gandhi used to advocate the importance of dialogue as a way to weaken differences and intolerance. Only those who are able to sit face to face with humility to speak can achieve correct understanding.

5. Poverty is the worst form of violence

One of Gandhi’s phrases that are still more than valid. Poverty today continues to be a structural violence that, far from weakening, continues to advance silently in our society.

6. I guess leadership once meant muscles but today it means getting along with people.

The good leader does not impose himself through power or violence, but with respect, with the sensitivity of the heart.

7. There are two types of powers, one is obtained by fear of punishment, and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is more effective and permanent than fear of punishment

For Gandhi, love is the path to achieving truth. Once we have made this ideal ours, we will be able to fight against violence to make respect, coexistence and charity the most solid pillars of our societies.

8. Non-violence requires double faith, faith in God and faith in man

Nonviolence for Gandhi was like a “great power” that must be accepted as the law of life. It must permeate our entire being, our thoughts and be reflected in our actions.

9. There is no path to peace, peace is the path.

Gandhi never accepted that violence could be a means to achieve peace. For him, the end never justified the means. If you want to achieve peace, the only way is to practice it.

Gandhi’s best phrases about Satyagraha (the strength of the soul)

10. The purpose of life is to live rightly, think rightly, and act rightly.

The beginning of Satyagraha, is essential to understanding Gandhi’s philosophy. This concept tells us that the person must live in harmony with himself, free of fear, prejudice and always adhering to the ideal of truth as a vital purpose.

11. Happiness is when what you think, say and do are in harmony

This is one of Gandhi’s phrases where this principle of harmony between actions and thoughts is again reflected.

12. Be the change you would like to see in the world

A Satyagrahi, that is, the person who is brave and who has the principle of respect, love and truth in his heart, sees himself as capable of making this world a much better scenario.

13. The justice that love gives is redemption, the justice that the law gives is punishment

Gandhi’s principles always have a moral connotation. Among them, the clear resistance to injustice, the development of a spirit of service, selflessness and sacrifice always stand out. Likewise, he always emphasized the importance of making love and simplicity the best weapons with which to act.

14. No one can hurt me without my permission

In this quote from Gandhi, the strength of the soul stands out above all other things. In this sense, nothing and no one has enough capacity to hurt us, unless we allow it.

15. Fear has its uses, but cowardice does not.

With these words, Gandhi distinguishes two processes: fear, whose usefulness lies in survival; and cowardice, which is a very common response to fear.

That being said, it is normal and expected to feel fear in threatening situations. On the other hand, cowardice paralyzes, or makes us flee in the face of adversity. What would happen to us if we hide or escape every time we feel afraid?

Gandhi’s phrases about Sarvodaya: a committed society

Gandhi dreamed of an ideal society, free from all forms of exploitation, social differences, violence and injustice. These are some phrases that represent such a high purpose, a commitment for which we are all responsible.

16. The future depends on what you do today

The future of our society depends on the small changes that we are able to bring about in the here and now, committing ourselves to the principles of love and justice.

17. There is enough in the world for man’s needs, but not for his greed

This social objective described by Gandhi as Sarvodaya, refers to a term that he himself coined and that can be translated as the need to seek the well-being of all without exception. Thus, it is very clear without a doubt that Greed, in a world where there are already enough resources and opportunities for everyone if we encourage it, has no place.

18. An honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.

Dialogue and its relevance in order to iron out differences and differences is a basic pillar in Gandhi’s philosophy. A respectful disagreement between two people is a way to move forward in any sphere of life.

19. It is not enough for our ears to be satisfied, for our eyes to be satisfied, it is necessary for our hearts to be touched and for our hands and feet to move.

A society that expects changes must be a society capable of acting, of moving, of generating a movement that starts first from oneself, from one’s own heart, and then must be reflected in our actions. The good leader must in turn be able to achieve the same thing: instill real hope that can promote change in his people.

20. No culture can survive if it aims to be exclusive

The concept of Satyagraha can and should be practiced in every cultural environment, otherwise we are lost.. This is one of Gandhi’s phrases that best exemplifies this. Thanks to it, its citizens will understand that the exclusivisms, the misgivings, the differences between my religion and your religion, the fierce antagonisms between my ideas and yours do nothing more than raise walls and once again sow the seeds of violence.

21. It is difficult, but not impossible, to run a business strictly under honesty.

Moral force is the engine that must move any good society, starting from the bottom, from our own homes and small businesses. Thus, and according to Gandhi, each individual had to be trained in honesty, humility and justice to be a useful citizen, taking responsibility and fulfilling their duties to create a much better world.

22. A leader is useless when he acts against the impulses of his own conscience

This is one of Gandhi’s most representative phrases. If there was something he always advocated for, it was political decentralization in order to avoid leaving in the hands of very few or only one, a power that generally always surpasses him.

Little by little the all-powerful leader seeks only his own benefit, which is why he always defended a direct and participatory democracy.

23. Peace between countries must be based on love between individuals

Only through love can truth and peace be achieved in every society. Even more, a constant idea in Gandhi’s philosophy is to show us that the concept we have of God is the very reflection of love and the only way to weaken our enemies and the forces of evil themselves.

To achieve that ideal of a perfect society that Gandhi dreamed of, it is necessary that we start with ourselves and those close to us. If we respect and love our family, our neighbors and our culture, we should also be able to do the same with those countries around us.

24. If we want true peace in the world, it starts with children

To create a better society and a nobler future governed by love and harmony, we must care for and educate in the principles of peace and…