Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian independence leader, nonviolence

Modern influential 85 sayings

Sayings by Mahatma Gandhi

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

1922 — Young India
Justice & Rights Unverifiable

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

N/A — From his writings and speeches, a common philosophical point.
Wisdom Unverifiable

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

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

One day, I found that my clothes were full of bugs. I was horrified. I thought: 'I have to get rid of these bugs.' But then I thought: 'No, I cannot kill them. They are living beings.' So I took them off very carefully, one by one, and put them in a bottle.

c. 1890s — Recounted in his autobiography, illustrating his commitment to ahimsa.
Wisdom Unverifiable

I have been a barrister, a journalist, a nurse, a stretcher-bearer, a scavenger, and what not.

c. 1930s — Reflecting on his varied life experiences, often in speeches.
Wisdom Unverifiable

I wear the minimum of clothes. If I had to wear more clothes, I would feel I was being false to my mission.

1931 — Interview with the press in London
Wisdom Unverifiable

I am a communist and also a socialist. I am a democrat and also a totalitarian. I believe in non-violence and I also believe in violence if it is for a good cause.

N/A — This is a commonly misattributed quote. Gandhi was not a communist or totalitarian and abhorred viol…
Inspirational Unverifiable

I am against all forms of exploitation.

c. 1920s-1930s — From his writings on economics and social justice.
Wisdom Unverifiable

My nationalism is intense internationalism.

1925 — Young India
Wisdom Unverifiable

The earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.

N/A — Attributed, a popular summary of his environmental and economic philosophy.
Nature & World Unverifiable

I claim to be a practical idealist.

1921 — Young India
Wisdom Unverifiable

I believe in the perfectibility of human nature.

N/A — From his philosophical writings and speeches.
Inspirational Unverifiable

My experiments in the political field are now a matter of history.

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

I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills.

1946 — Speech in Madras
Educational Unverifiable

It is not the British I hate, it is the British system I hate.

c. 1920s-1940s — From his writings during the independence movement.
Wisdom Unverifiable

The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems.

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

I cannot conceive of a greater wrong than to keep women from going to school.

1929 — Young India
Educational Unverifiable

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

N/A — From his writings and philosophical discussions.
Inspirational Unverifiable

God is not a person. God is a force. The world is nothing but a manifestation of that force.

N/A — From his philosophical discussions and writings on religion.
Biblical Unverifiable

You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.

N/A — Attributed, a powerful statement reflecting his belief in spiritual freedom.
Justice & Rights Unverifiable
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