Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian independence leader, nonviolence

Modern influential 85 sayings

Commonly searched & flagged quotes

“A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”

Often attributed to Gandhi — actually from James Allen's 'As a Man Thinketh' (1903)

The phrase predates Gandhi's public life. It originates from James Allen's 1903 self-help classic 'As a Man Thinketh,' where the exact wording appears as a central thesis. Gandhi may have quoted Allen or been influenced by him, but the attribution to Gandhi is not supported by any of his documented writings or speeches. This is one of the most common misattributed quotes on the internet.

True source: James Allen, "As a Man Thinketh" (1903)

Read the saying detail →

Sayings by Mahatma Gandhi

I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.

1928 — Satyagraha in South Africa
Life & Death Unverifiable

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

N/A — Attributed, a common summary of his philosophy.
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

1925 — Young India
Educational Unverifiable

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

1925-1929 — Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth
Inspirational Unverifiable

There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of food.

1931 — Speech at the Guildhall, London
Biblical Unverifiable

I believe in the fundamental truth of all great religions of the world.

1928 — Young India
Inspirational Unverifiable

Truth is by nature self-evident. As soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear.

1925-1929 — Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth
Nature & World Unverifiable

It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

1925 — Young India
Money & Business Unverifiable

The future depends on what you do today.

N/A — Attributed, a popular summary of his action-oriented philosophy.
Wisdom Unverifiable

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

N/A — Attributed, a popular summary of his philosophy.
Wisdom Unverifiable

Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good.

1922 — Young India
Life & Death Unverifiable

Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellow-men.

1924 — Young India
Wisdom Unverifiable

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

1931 — Young India
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

I am a humble seeker after truth and bent upon finding it wherever it may be.

1925-1929 — Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth
Wisdom Unverifiable

Poverty is the worst form of violence.

N/A — Attributed, a common summary of his views on social justice.
Money & Business Unverifiable

Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.

1921 — Young India
Wisdom Unverifiable

My life is my message.

N/A — Attributed, often quoted as a summary of his belief in leading by example.
Wisdom Unverifiable

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

N/A — Attributed, a popular summary of his philosophy.
Wisdom Unverifiable

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

1925 — Young India
Wisdom Unverifiable

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

N/A — Attributed, a widely known quote, though its exact origin and phrasing in Gandhi's writings are ofte…
War & Conflict Unverifiable
Your Cart

Your cart is empty