Satyagraha—Gandhi’s nonviolent action—was not a way for one group to seize what it wanted from another. It was not a weapon of class struggle, or of any other kind of division. Satyagraha was instead...
Other negative side-effects of violence come into view once the struggle comes to an end. For instance, violence generally leaves the two sides as long-standing enemies. Maybe the most amazing thing a...
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When Satyagraha worked, both sides won.
Gandhi was not talking about defeating or overthrowing anyone. Satyagraha—Gandhi’s nonviolent action—was not a way for one group to seize what it wanted from another. It was not a weapon of class stru...
Gandhi said that only people with a high regard for the law were qualified for civil disobedience.
Gandhi called his overall method of nonviolent action Satyagraha. This translates roughly as Truth-force.
Gandhi believed that the means of struggle a people used would shape the society that grew out of the struggle.
Salvation will not come from the legislators. Salvation will not come from the military. If there is any salvation, it will come from the people. Jayaprakash Narayan
All my actions have their source in my inalienable love of humankind.
You look closely at so-called popular liberation movements, you’ll find that they’re seldom started by the peasants or workers they’re supposed to benefit. These armed struggles may gradually build wi...
Maybe the most amazing thing about Gandhi’s nonviolent revolution is, not that the British left, but that they left as friends, and that Britain and India became partners in the British Commonwealth.
Gandhi saw that the power of any tyrant depends entirely on people being willing to obey.
Gandhi noted also that violent revolutions almost always end in repressive dictatorships. Once the rebel troops gain control, they naturally keep acting as they’re used to—in other words, they start r...
Fearlessness is indispensable for the growth of the other noble qualities. How can one seek Truth, or cherish Love, without fearlessness?
Already legal and political moves are being made to drain the Great Lakes as a water supply for a thirsty western region.
Satyagraha was instead an instrument of unity.
Plants removing carbon from the air is, in fact, how the earth’s vast coal deposits were formed.
Nonviolent action, on the other hand, requires more patience because the action is less thrilling.
Gandhi saw that the power of any tyrant depends entirely on people being willing to obey. The tyrant may get people to obey by threatening to throw them in prison, or by holding guns to their heads. B...