Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) promoted peace in his lifetime and here are a few of his quotes. How we could do with inspirational leaders like this in 2007.'I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.'
'What do I think of Western civilization? I think it would be a very good idea.'
'You must be the change you wish to see in the world'
'It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings.'
'Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.'
'The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.'
'The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problem.'
8 comments:
Great observations from a great man - thanks for compiling them, Trevor!
I particularly like this one: "It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings"
Hi Dan
I have winced and cringed many times in my career as I have seen people humiliated by arrogant men - it is nearly always men - who have an inflated sense of their own importance simply because they have a title that implies some sort of superiority. The greatest leaders I have known and worked with have always had integrity and humility as their two greatest qualities.
Mr Gandhi captures it so well in that quote.
Trevor,
I read Louis Fischer's book on Ghandi a few years back. The man was a titan. I frequently use another quote of his, "Turn the searchlight inward." We frequently search for others to blame when things don't work out for us. In most cases we don't need to look far to find who is truly responsible. It's tough to play the victim when picturing Ghandi calmly rattling off this one liner.
Hi Nick - Thanks for the link to Louis Fischer's book - maybe I should look that up. Looking inward might be painful but I think Mr Ghandi is right - most problems would surely be prevented if we really examined our own attitude first. I am reminded of GK Chesterton a famous Christian who wrote a letter to The Times in answer to their question in the reader’s letters section – What is wrong with the world?
His letter was the shortest of the lot ….. It read as follows:
Dear Sir
In answer to your question ‘what is wrong with the world’ – I am.
Yours sincerely
GK Chesterton
Hi Trevor
These are inspiring (and humbling) quotes from Gandhi (including those from Dan and Nick. We must live the change we want others to make-very simple, very profound!
There are very few up there with Gandhi in terms of role models, but next week the buiding I have just moved into (at work)will be officially opened by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who I would regard as one of the greatest living people on the planet. I hope I get the opportunity to meet him.
All the Best
Tomjam – I do hope you get the opportunity to meet the Archbishop – he is a modern icon for peace, humility and integrity. How amazing that people like Mr Gandhi had such a gift with words –what simplicity too of course :-)
Warm regards
nice post. gandhi was inspired greatly by the gita. you can read about it at http://www.gitananda.org/about-gita/index.php
Thank you 'anonymous' - I will study your website link - it looks interesting. Mr Gandhi's wisdom on peace is needed desperately today.
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