100 Top & Most Popular Mahatma Gandhi Quotes

About Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, widely regarded as the Father of the Indian nation, was a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. His philosophy of non-violence (ahimsa) and civil disobedience inspired countless individuals and movements worldwide. Here are 100 of his most profound quotes, categorized by topics, showcasing his timeless wisdom and principles.

100 Top Quotes by Mahatma Gandhi in English

Here are 100 top and popular quotes by Mahatma Gandhi, organized by various topics:

Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Non-Violence

Non-violence was central to Gandhi’s philosophy and activism. He believed in the power of peaceful resistance to bring about social and political change.

“Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Non-violence is the law of our species as violence is the law of the brute.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Non-violence is the summit of bravery.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Non-violence is the article of faith.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Where there is love there is life.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Peace and Harmony

Gandhi advocated for peace, harmony, and unity among people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

“Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Peace is its own reward.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“It is easy enough to be friendly to one’s friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The pursuit of truth does not permit violence on one’s opponent.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Truth and Integrity

Gandhi emphasized the importance of truthfulness, honesty, and integrity in personal and public life.

“Truth never damages a cause that is just.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Civilization is the encouragement of differences.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Leadership and Service

Gandhi exemplified servant leadership, advocating for selfless service and humility in leadership roles.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Freedom and Independence

Gandhi passionately advocated for freedom and independence, both for individuals and nations.

“Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The law of love could be best understood and learned through little children.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what’s right.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Truth and Integrity

Gandhi emphasized the importance of truthfulness, honesty, and integrity in personal and public life.

“Truth never damages a cause that is just.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Civilization is the encouragement of differences.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Leadership and Service

Gandhi exemplified servant leadership, advocating for selfless service and humility in leadership roles.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Freedom and Independence

Gandhi passionately advocated for freedom and independence, both for individuals and nations.

“Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The law of love could be best understood and learned through little children.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what’s right.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Education and Learning

Gandhi emphasized the importance of education as a means of personal growth and societal progress.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Non-violence is the law of our species as violence is the law of the brute.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Non-violence is the summit of bravery.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Non-violence is the article of faith.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Religion and Spirituality

Gandhi had a profound understanding of various religious teachings and emphasized the importance of spirituality in one’s life.

“My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realizing Him.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“God has no religion.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Religions are different roads converging to the same point. What does it matter that we take different roads, so long as we reach the same goal?” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Man should forget his anger before he lies down to sleep.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The essence of all religions is one. Only their approaches are different.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Prayer is the key of the morning and the bolt of the evening.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Conclusion

Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings continue to inspire and guide people around the world. His emphasis on non-violence, truth, service, and compassion serves as a timeless reminder of the values that can lead to a more just and peaceful world.

FAQs:

1. What was Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy?

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy was based on the principles of truth, non-violence, self-discipline, and service to humanity. He believed in the power of non-violent resistance as a means of achieving social and political change.

2. What is Mahatma Gandhi famous for?

Mahatma Gandhi is famous for his leadership in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule and for his advocacy of non-violent civil disobedience as a means of protest.

3. What does “Mahatma” mean?

“Maha” means great, and “atma” means soul, so “Mahatma” translates to “great soul.” This title was bestowed upon Gandhi by the people of India as a sign of reverence and respect for his spiritual and moral leadership.

4. What were Mahatma Gandhi’s key principles?

Mahatma Gandhi’s key principles included non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satyagraha), self-discipline (tapasya), non-possession (aparigraha), and service to humanity (seva).

5. How did Mahatma Gandhi inspire others?

Mahatma Gandhi inspired others through his actions, words, and philosophy of non-violence. His commitment to truth, justice, and equality resonated with people worldwide and continues to inspire individuals and movements for social change.