- Mahatma M K Gandhi
- Netaji Subhash Bose
- Goutham Buddha
- Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Deshabandhu Chittaranjan Das
- Lal Bahadur Shastri
- Shaheed Bhagat Singh
- Mahadev Govind Ranade
- Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel
- Swami Vivekananda
- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
- Gopalkrishna Gokhale
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Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary. 
If India adopted the doctrine of love as an active part of her religion and introduced it in her politics. Swaraj would descend upon India from heaven. But I am painfully aware that that event is far off as yet. 
A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes. 
If one has no affection for a person or a system, one should feel free to give the fullest expression to his disaffection so long as he does not contemplate, promote, or incite violence. 
Nonviolence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed. 
Always believe in your dreams, because if you don’t, you’ll still have hope. 
The cry for peace will be a cry in the wilderness, so long as the spirit of nonviolence does not dominate millions of men and women. 
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. 
An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self sustained. 
I’m a lover of my own liberty, and so I would do nothing to restrict yours. I simply want to please my own conscience, which is God. 
My ambition is much higher than independence. Through the deliverance of India, I seek to deliver the so-called weaker races of the Earth from the crushing heels of Western exploitation in which England is the greatest partner. 
Nonviolence in its dynamic condition means conscious suffering. It does not means meek submission to the will of the evil-doer, but it means the putting of one’s whole soul against the will of the tyrant. 
It is now my opinion that in all Indian curricula of higher education there should be a place for Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic and English, besides of course the vernacular. 
Jealousy does not wait for reasons. 
Nothing is impossible for pure love. 
A man of truth must also be a man of care. 
To call woman the weaker sex is a libel; it is man’s injustice to woman. 
It is beyond my power to induce in you a belief in God. There are certain things which are self proved and certain which are not proved at all. 
I regard myself as a soldier, though a soldier of peace. 
It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err. 
The ideally non-violent state will be an ordered anarchy. That State is the best governed which is governed the least. 
In the democracy which I have envisaged, a democracy established by non-violence, there will be equal freedom for all. Everybody will be his own master. 
We cannot evoke the true spirit of sacrifice and valour, so long as we are not free. 
Religions are different roads converging to the same point. What does it matter that we take different road, so long as we reach the same goal. Wherein is the cause for quarreling? 
The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but not for every man’s greed. 
Truth never damages a cause that is just. 
In the dictionary of Satyagraha, there is no enemy. 
A good person will resist an evil system with his whole soul. Disobedience of the laws of an evil state is therefore a duty. 
Truth alone will endure, all the rest will be swept away before the tide of time. 
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. 
An unjust law is itself a species of violence. 
My life is my message. 
Poverty is the worst kind of violence.
“When we stand, the Azad Hind Fauz has to be like a wall of granite; when we march, the Azad Hind Fauz has to be like a steamroller.” 
“India is calling Blood is calling to blood. Get up, we have no time to lose. Take up your arms ! we shall carve our way through the enemy’s ranks, or if God wills, we shall die a martyr’s death. And in our last sleep we shall kiss the road that will bring our Army to Delhi. The road to Delhi is the road to Freedom. Chalo Delhi (March to Delhi).” 
“Reality is, after all, too big for our frail understanding to fully comprehend. Nevertheless, we have to build our life on the theory which contains the maximum truth.We cannot sit still because we cannot, or do not , know the Absolute Truth.” 
One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives. 
“It is only on the basis of undiluted Nationalism and of perfect justice and impartiality that the Indian Army of Liberation can be built up.” 
“Give me blood and I will give you freedom!”
All compounded things are subject to decay. Strive with diligence! 
Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely. 
This is deathless, the liberation of the mind through lack of clinging. 
Whatever is subject to origination is all subject to cessation. 
No one saves us but ourselves, No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path Buddhas merely teach the way. By ourselves is evil done, By ourselves we pain endure, By ourselves we cease from wrong, By ourselves become we pure. 
Conquer anger with love, evil with good, meanness with generosity, and lies with truth. 
To cease from evil, to do good, and to purify the mind yourself, this is the teaching of all the Buddhas. 
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. 
As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break through an unreflecting mind. 
Everything changes, nothing remains without change…. 
Everything changes, nothing remains without change.. 
In protecting oneself, others are protected; In protecting others, oneself is protected. 
To cease from evil, to do good, and to purify the mind yourself, this is the teaching of all the Buddhas. 
No one saves us but ourselves, no one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path but Buddhas clearly show the way. 
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love. This is the eternal rule. (from: Dhammapada, Vers 5) 
A saviour has a greater right over the saved one than killer. 
Neither fire, nor moisture, nor wind can destroy the blessing of good deeds, and blessings enlighten the whole world. 
True charity occurs only when there are no notions of giving, giver, or gift. 
We forgive principally for our own sake, so that we may cease to bear the burden of rancour. 
Rather than continuing to seek the truth, simply let go of your views. 
Let my skin and sinews and bones dry up, together with all the flesh and blood of my body! I welcome it! But I will not move from this spot until I have attained the supreme and final wisdom.
Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it! 
Progress is implied in independence. Without self-government neither industrial progress is possible, nor the educational scheme will be useful to the nation…To make efforts for India’s freedom is more important than social reforms 
If God is put up with untouchability, I will not call him God 
It may be providence’s will that the cause I represent may prosper more by my suffering than by my remaining free.
“We stand then for freedom, because we claim the right to develop our own individuality and evolve our own destiny along our own lines, unembarrassed by what Western civilisation has to teach us and unhampered by the institutions which the West has imposed.” 
We stand then for freedom, because we claim the right to develop our own individuality and evolve our own destiny along our own lines, unembarrassed by what Western civilisation has to teach us and unhampered by the institutions which the West has imposed.
Jai Jawan Jai Kisan 
True democracy or the swaraj of the masses can never come through untruthful and violent means, for the simple reason that the natural corollary to their use would be to remove all opposition through the suppression or extermination of the antagonists. 
The economic issues are most vital for us and it is of the highest importance that we should fight our biggest enemies – Poverty, unemployment. Whether it is agriculture or industrial development, or for that matter, development in other fields, the basic fact remains – that it would serve the largest number of our people. 
We want freedom for our country, but not at the expense or exploitation of others, not us to degrade other countries…I want the freedom of my country so that other countries may learn something from my free country so that the resources of my country might be utilized for the benefit of mankind. 
My patriotism is subservient to my religion. I cling to India like a child to its mother’s breast, because I feel that she gives me the spiritual nourishment I need. She has the environment that responds to my highest aspiration. 
That loyalty to the country comes ahead of all other loyalties. And this is an absolute loyalty, since one cannot weight it in terms of what one receives. 
Those who govern must see how the people react to administration. Ultimately, the people are the final arbiters. 
Success in science and scientific work come not through the provision of unlimited or big resources, but in the wise and careful selection of problems and objectives. Above all, what is required is hard sustained work and dedication. 
The emphasis on religion as a basis of defining majorities and minorities in a secular state is quite misplaced and contradiction in terms. You all understand, I am sure, that religion does not aim at dividing. On the other hand, all true religions have a basic unity. 
The world as a whole is full of problems and difficulties and it is most important that every country which loves its Freedom and wants to maintain its Independence and sovereignty should work for peace and try to see that there is disarmament in the world which alone will lead to real peace. 
We believe in peace and peaceful development, not only for ourselves but for people all over the world. Our main preoccupation is with economic and social development at home and peace and friendship abroad. 
In this vast country of ours, people profess different religions, speak different languages, dress differently and observe different customs; but we are one nation; the history of our struggle for independence and our faith in our future development are our common bonds. 
Sampling out corruption is a very tough job, but I say so in all seriousness that we would be failing in our duty if we do not tackle this problem seriously and with determination. 
India will have to hang down her head in shame if even one person is left who is said in any way to be untouchable. 
The claims of the most backward sections like the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who have suffered neglect and have hard to endure disabilities for many centuries. It would be my proud privilege to work for the establishment of a more just social order. 
If Pakistan has any ideas of annexing any part of our territories by force, she should think afresh. I want to state categorically that force will be met with force and aggression against us will never be allowed to succeed.
Every tiny molecule of Ash is in motion with my heat I am such a Lunatic that I am free even in Jail. 
One should not interpret the word “Revolution” in its literal sense. Various meanings and significances are attributed to this word, according to the interests of those who use or misuse it. For the established agencies of exploitation it conjures up a feeling of blood stained horror. To the revolutionaries it is a sacred phrase. 
Any man who stands for progress has to criticize, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith. Item by item he has to reason out every nook and corner of the prevailing faith. If after considerable reasoning one is led to believe in any theory or philosophy, his faith is welcomed. His reasoning can be mistaken, wrong, misled and sometimes fallacious. But he is liable to correction because reason is the guiding star of his life. But mere faith and blind faith is dangerous: it dulls the brain, and makes a man reactionary. 
By “Revolution”, we mean the ultimate establishment of an order of society which may not be threatened by such breakdown, and in which the sovereignty of the proletariat should be recognized and a world federation should redeem humanity from the bondage of capitalism and misery of imperial wars. 
“Lovers, Lunatics and poets are made of same stuff.” 
If the deaf are to hear, the sound has to be very loud. When we dropped the bomb, it was not our intention to kill anybody. We have bombed the British Government. The British must quit India and make her free. 
The elimination of force at all costs is Utopian and the new movement which has arisen in the country and of whose dawn we have given a warning is inspired by the ideals which Guru Gobind Singh and Shivaji, Kamal Pasha and Reza Khan, Washington and Garibaldi, Lafayette and Lenin preached. 
Bombs and pistols do not make a revolution. The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting-stone of ideas. 
…by crushing individuals, they cannot kill ideas. 
The sanctity of law can be maintained only so long as it is the expression of the will of the people.
It is the prime responsibility of every citizen to feel that his country is free and to defend its freedom is his duty. 
My only desire is that India should be a good producer and no one should be hungry, shedding tears for food in the country. 
Even if we lose the wealth of thousands, and our life is sacrificed, we should keep smiling and be cheerful keeping our faith in God and Truth. 
Manpower without Unity is not a strength unless it is harmonized and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power. 
Every citizen of India must remember that he is an Indian and he has every right in this country but with certain duties.
To succeed, you must have tremendous perseverance, tremendous will. “I will drink the ocean”, says the persevering soul; “at my will mountains will crumble up”. Have that sort of energy, that sort of will; work hard, and you will reach the goal. 
A perfect life is a contradiction in terms. 
If I do an evil action, I must suffer for it; there is no power in this universe to stop or stay it. 
The prayers of those that are pure inmind and body will be answered by Shiva, and those that are impure and yet try to teach religion to others will fail in the end. 
After so much austerity I have known that the highest truth is this: He is present in every being! These are all in manifold forms of him. There is no other God to seek for! He alone is worshipping God, who serves all beings! 
Learn to recognise the mother in Evil, Terror, Sorrow, Denial, as well as in Sweetness and inJoy. 
In spirituality the Americans are very inferior to us. But their society is very superior to ours 
India is immortal if she persists in her search for God. But if she goes in for politics and social conflict, she will die. 
He is an atheist who does not believe in himself. The old religions said that he was an atheist who did not believe in God. The new religion says that he is an atheist who does not believe in himself. 
Give me few men and women who are pure and selfless and I shall shake the world. 
The remedy for weakness is not brooding over weakness, but thinking of strength. Teach men of strength that is already within them. 
Death is better than a vegetating ignorant life; it is better to die on the battle-field than to live a life of defeat. 
This world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong. 
Buddha is the only prophet who said, I do not care to know your various theories about God. What is the use of discussing all the subtle doctrines about the soul? Do good and be good. 
This is the gist of all worship — to be pure and to do good to others. He who sees Shiva in the poor, in the weak, and in the diseased, really worships Shiva; and if he sees Shiva only in the image, his worship is but preliminary.
Knowledge leads to unity, but Ignorance to diversity. 
So long as God seems to be outside and far away, there is ignorance. But when God is realised within, that is true knowledge. 
Meditate upon the Knowledge and Bliss Eternal, and you will also have bliss. The Bliss indeed is eternal, only it is covered and obscured by ignorance. The less your attachment is towards the senses, the more will be your love towards God. 
Meditate upon the Knowledge and Bliss Eternal, and you also will have bliss. Bliss indeed is eternal, only it is covered and obscured by ignorance. The less your attachment is to the senses, the more will be your love to God. 
Those who wish to attain God and progress in religious devotion should particularly guard themselves against the snares of lust and wealth. Otherwise they can never attain perfection. 
The vanities of all others may gradually die out, but the vanity of a saint regarding his sainthood is hard indeed to wear away. 
As a piece of rope, when burnt, retains its form, but cannot serve to bind, so is the ego which is burnt by the fire of supreme Knowledge. 
That knowledge which purifies the mind and heart alone is true Knowledge, all else is only a negation of Knowledge. 
Common men talk bagfuls of religion but do not practise even a grain of it. The wise man speaks little, even though his whole life is religion expressed in action. 
The nearer you come to God, the less you are disposed to questioning and reasoning. When you actually attain Him, when you behold Him as the reality, then all noise, all disputations, come to an end. 
The goal can never be reached unless a man makes his mind strong, and firmly resolves that he must realise God in this very birth, nay, this very moment. 
The vain man of intellect busies himself with finding out the “why” and “wherefore” of creation, while the humble man of wisdom makes friends with the Creator and enjoys His gift of supreme bliss. 
The goal can never be reached unless a man makes his mind strong, and firmly resolves that he must realise God in this very birth, nay, this very moment. 
God is one, but He is worshipped in different ages and climes under different names and aspects. 
Unless one always speaks the truth, one cannot find God Who is the soul of truth. 
God alone is the guide and Guru of the universe. 
With the divine Knowledge of Advaita (non-duality) in you, do whatever you wish; for then no evil can ever come out of you. 
As long as I live, so long do I learn. 
You see many stars in the sky at night, but not when the sun rises. Can you therefore say that there are no stars in the heavens during the day? O man, because you cannot find God in the days of your ignorance, say not that there is no God. 
He is born in vain, who having attained the human birth, so difficult to get, does not attempt to realise God in this very life 
The young bamboo can be easily bent, but the full grown bamboo breaks when it is bent with force. It is easy to bend the young heart towards God, but the untrained heart of the old escapes the hold whenever it is so drawn 
A boat may stay in water, but water should not stay in boat. A spiritual aspirant may live in the world, but the world should not live within him. 
As the snake is separate from its slough, even so is the Spirit separate from the body. 
Men are like pillow-cases. The colour of one may be red, that of another blue, and that of the third black; but all contain the same cotton within. So it is with man; one is beautiful, another is ugly, a third holy , and a fourth wicked; but the Divine Being dwells in them all 
As a boy holding to a post or a pillar whirls about it with headlong speed without any fear or falling, so perform your worldly duties, fixing your hold firmly upon God, and you will be free from danger. 
The sun can give heat and light to the whole world, but he cannot do so when the clouds shut out his rays. Similarly as long as egotism veils the heart, God cannot shine upon it.
No taxation without representation 
What the country needs most at the present moment is a spirit of self-sacrifice on the part of our educated young men, and they may take it from me that they cannot spend their lives in a better cause than raising the moral and intellectual level of their unhappy low castes and promoting their well-being.