"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall — think of it, always.""What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?"
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."
"There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for."
Today is the sixtieth anniversary of the assassination of Mohandas K. Gandhi (October 2, 1869–January 30, 1948). H/t to the cartoon strip Mythtickle for the reminder. The photo and quotes above come via Wikipedia.
As a high school student who piously took "thou shalt not kill" as an absolute command, I was drawn to Martin Luther King, Jr., and the teachings of Mahātmā ("great soul") Gāndhī, along with the writings of Leo Tolstoy. My admiration for Gandhi has not diminished over the years.
Gandhi retains the moral force that is lost when nations and movements seek to enforce their values by force. Do I need to point out that the "winning hearts and minds" part of spreading democracy has been, shall we say, missing of late?
UPDATE:
Grandmère Mimi has some other great quotes from Gandhi. Check them out here.
--the BB
--the BB
