Mahatma Gandhi has inspired countless generations, having a significant impact on people’s lives to this day. Gandhi’s phrases touch the hearts of thousands of people. His spirituality, simplicity of heart and philosophy of non-violence are a unique legacy. Few characters in our history have encouraged us to live in peace and according to the truth as Gandhi did.
Specialists in Mahatma Gandhi’s work say his thinking was extremely multifaceted and his philosophy may seem quite complex, so it would take several volumes to try to describe it. However, to facilitate the path of all those who wish to deepen their work, some scholars have divided Gandhi’s philosophy into four pillars: non-violence, Sarvodaya (socially engaged Buddhism), Satyagraha (strength of the soul) and research. truth.
- There are four well-defined but interconnected areas: religious ideas align with their social ideals In their philosophy there is a clear objective.
- A contained hope: to encourage humanity to trust itself.
- To convince us that we are able to generate positive changes.
- In our society.
- While achieving greater moral development.
When we read Gandhi’s phrases, we have the intuition almost immediately that we are not faced with the work of someone who would like to convey to the world a rigid, uncompromising or remarkably rigorous doctrine, on the contrary, they are a set of principles that invite us to think and apply to any realm of our lives. It can be understood, for example, that there is nothing more fundamental to breaking the cycle of violence than love, dialogue or respect for others.
Therefore, we intend to read and analyze them with serenity, without prejudice, without worries and willing to receive small lessons that are very up to date.
Ahimsa is a concept that comes from Sanskrit and gave rise to this philosophy so characteristic of Gandhi, where he defends non-violence and respect for life.
Similarly, we can say that what defined Gandhi was his unwavering hope in humanity, so he encouraged people to have a positive attitude of tolerance, patience, charity and never lose faith in the human being.
It is one of Gandhi’s most famous phrases and it defines the essence of his philosophy: do not be afraid of the different, not subjects to those who think differently, to those who have an opinion contrary to yours. This anguish in relation to them? Another is a symptom of weakness.
Violence leads to more violence. Humanity must stop using aggression, revenge and hatred as a form of language, all we can do with this is perpetuate evil.
Gandhi used to defend the importance of dialogue as a means of weakening differences and intolerance. Only those who are able to sit face to face with humility can achieve perfect understanding.
This is one of Gandhi’s phrases that remains in place today: poverty remains a structural violence that, far from weakening, continues to move silently in our society.
The good leader is not imposed with power or violence, but with respect, with the sensitivity of the heart.
7. La intolerance is a form of violence and an obstacle to the development of a true democratic spirit.
For Gandhi, love is the way to get to the truth. Once we find our ideal, we will be able to combat violence to make respect, coexistence and charity the strongest pillars of our societies.
Was non-violence for Gandhi one? Great power that must be accepted as a law of life, must permeate all our being, our thoughts and reflect on our actions.
10. La anger is the enemy of non-violence and pride is a monster that absorbs it.
The Satyagraha principle is fundamental to understanding Gandhi’s philosophy, this concept indicates that the person must live in harmony with himself, free from fears, prejudices and always based on the ideal of truth as the goal of life.
This is one of Gandhi’s phrases where this principle of harmony between actions and thoughts is again emphasized.
A Satyagrahi, that is, the brave person whose principle is based on respect, love and truth in his heart, feels able to make this world much better.
14. Love is the most powerful force that exists
Gandhi’s principles always have a moral connotation. Among them, there is always a clear resistance to injustice, the development of a spirit at the service of others, self-denial and sacrifice. He also always stressed the importance of making love and simplicity the best weapons to act.
Gandhi dreamed of an ideal society, free from all forms of exploitation, social differences, violence and injustice. Here are some phrases that represent this high goal, a commitment for which we are all responsible.
The future of our society depends on the small changes that we can make here and now, committing ourselves to the principles of love and justice.
One of Gandhi’s most valuable lessons: success is not only in the achievements, but in the entire journey.
This social goal described by Gandhi as Sarvodaya refers to a term that he invented himself and which can translate into the need to seek the well-being of all, without exception, so it is very clear that greed, in a world where there are already enough resources and opportunities for all, makes no sense.
The importance of dialogue in mitigating hardness and differences is a fundamental pillar of Gandhi’s philosophy. A respectful disagreement between two people is a way forward in any area of life.
A society that wants to change must be a society capable of acting, of moving, of generating a movement that begins first in each one, from the heart itself, and then reflects on its actions; the good leader must, in turn, be able to inspire real hope that could bring about change in his people.
The concept of Satyagraha can and should be practiced in all cultural environments, because otherwise we will be lost, one of Gandhi’s phrases is the best example, so people will understand that exclusivity, mistrust, the differences between my religion and yours, the fierce antagonisms between my ideas and yours, raises walls and sows violence.
22. Those who do not renounce attachment to the results of their work are on the sidelines.
Moral strength is the engine that must move society as a whole, starting with one’s own home and small businesses, so, according to Gandhi, each individual must be trained in honesty, humility and justice to be a useful citizen, taking responsibility and fulfilling. their duties to create a much better world.
This is one of the most representative phrases of Gandhi, who has always advocated for political decentralization, to avoid leaving power in the hands of a few people or just one.
Gradually, an almighty leader seeks only his own benefit, so he has always advocated for direct and participatory democracy.
Only through love can we achieve truth and peace in all societies. Moreover, a constant idea in Gandhi’s philosophy is to show us that our concept of God is a reflection of love and the only way to weaken our enemies and the forces of evil.
To realize this ideal society that Gandhi dreamed of, we must start with ourselves and those around us. If we respect and love our family, our neighbors, and our culture, we can do the same with the countries around us.
To create a better society and a happier future governed by love and harmony, we must care for young people and educate them about the principles of peace and non-violence.
These key concepts that make up Gandhi’s philosophy find their true meaning in their etymological roots. The word, right? It originates from Sanskrit, “Satya”, where “sitting” means “what exists, what is real”. Therefore, for Gandhi, the idea of truth applies when thought is in tune with its own actions and when a society defends a moral code that fosters that goal among its citizens.
Here are some of the messages that best represent this idea, this goal:
This is one of Gandhi’s best-known phrases, each can maintain, safeguard and defend his own truth, even if most tell us otherwise.
Even if you’re a minority, the truth is always the truth
The truth is still there in front of us. However, we often let ourselves be manipulated, let ourselves be carried away by negligence, subjugation, or even ignorance. Few acts require as much courage as knowing the truth and acting on its principles.
We have already said that “Satya”, the truth in Sanskrit, means the real, what exists. For his part, Gandhi defended the idea that truth makes no sense if someone thinks something and does the opposite. For this reason, the pacifist leader in India has always lived in harmony with everything he preached, leading a humble life dedicated to others.
The same principle is further reinforced here: the need to live in harmony with our own truth, with our own beliefs.
Some say that this pacifist leader was an idealist, we can even agree with this, however, in many of Gandhi’s texts and phrases we infer that this is a very practical and useful idealism that can be applied in many of our contexts.
All of us, at some point in our life, whether in the family or at work, have already defended our truth, even if we do not have support. Sooner or later are lies or injustices discovered?
As much as we are afraid to tell the truth in a given environment, even if that place, if this context is right, the truth will always be respected and valued.
33. La is the basis of all things and truth is the substance of morality.
To come into contact with our truth and act accordingly, we must listen to our inner voice, that dialogue with yourself must be constant and permanent, in this way we will find the strength to act on what we consider unjust and that offends our truth.
The opposite of violence is love. It is the only way to build a society capable of defending the truth, capable of thinking and acting according to this principle, evolving in its daily life along the path of charity, dialogue, equality, fraternity. justice.
As we have seen, Gandhi’s philosophy and phrases have more than moral, political, and religious connotations. It is above all a collection of knowledge that, although rooted in Indian culture, remains very up-to-date and very useful.