Portrait of Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi

Indian PM

Modern influential 86 sayings

Sayings by Indira Gandhi

My father was a statesman, I am a political woman. My father was a saint, I am a sinner.

Uncertain — Interview/Speech
Political Unverifiable

You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.

Uncertain — Letter to her son, Sanjay Gandhi
Educational Unverifiable

Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing
Inspirational Unverifiable

I am not a person to be afraid. I am a person to be feared.

Uncertain — Attributed, reflecting her strong personality
Wisdom Unverifiable

Martyrdom does not end a struggle, it begins it.

1984 (posthumous attribution based on her life) — Speech, after her assassination
Wisdom Unverifiable

People tend to forget their duties but remember their rights.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing
Justice & Rights Unverifiable

The power to question is the basis of all human progress.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing, often used in diplomatic contexts
Wisdom Confirmed

A nation's strength ultimately consists in what it can do on its own, and not in what it can borrow from others.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing
Inspirational Unverifiable

My own life is my message.

Uncertain — Interview/Speech
Wisdom Unverifiable

Education is a liberating force, and in our age it is also a democratizing force, cutting across the barriers of caste and class, smoothing out inequalities imposed by birth and other circumstances.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing
Educational Unverifiable

The meek may inherit the earth, but they will never be allowed to rule it.

Uncertain — Attributed, reflecting her pragmatic view of power
Nature & World Unverifiable

The greatest danger to India is not external aggression, but internal disunity.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing
Wisdom Unverifiable

All my games were played by the rules and I never cheated.

Uncertain — Interview/Statement, in response to criticism
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

To be a woman and in politics is not easy.

Uncertain — Interview
Political Unverifiable

History is the best teacher, but only if you are willing to learn.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing
Educational Unverifiable

The greatest joy is to make others happy.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing
Wisdom Unverifiable

Without discipline, there is no success.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing
Inspirational Unverifiable

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Uncertain — Speech/Writing
Inspirational Unverifiable

I have been accused of being a dictator. I have been accused of being a communist. I have been accused of being a capitalist. I have been accused of being everything.

Uncertain — Interview, addressing criticisms
Political Unverifiable
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