120 Mahatma Gandhi Quotes On Peace And Nonviolence

Gandhi was one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century for his advocacy of nonviolence as a weapon for social change. As the leader of India’s freedom struggle against the British, he successfully employed peaceful forms of civil disobedience that had a profound impact around the world.

Through his words and actions, Gandhi spread an important philosophy of nonviolence and stood up against oppression through compassionate and thoughtful dissent. The quotes compiled in this article highlight his profound beliefs on achieving peace through unity, tolerance and love.

The article presents 120 of Gandhi’s most insightful and inspirational quotations on the themes of nonviolence, truth, morality and coexistence. The quotes have been grouped into broad topics to help the reader easily navigate Gandhi’s profound lessons on overcoming hatred and conflict through respect, understanding and bringing out the good in others. They aim to share Gandhi’s timeless message of peace in a concise yet thought-provoking manner.

1. Messages of Ahimsa and Satyagraha from 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
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Nonviolence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Let all bear in mind that a scorpion is as much a creature of God as a child. Both need rain and sunshine. Do not kill either.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Hate the sin, love the sinner.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“A ‘No’ uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a ‘Yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“An unjust law is itself a species of violence. Arrest for its breach is more so.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough in me to confess my errors and to retrace my steps.” – Mahatma Gandhi

2. Insightful Thoughts on Nonviolent Protest and Civil Disobedience

“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Non-violence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Truth is by nature self-evident. As soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” – 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 true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Non-cooperation is a measure of discipline and sacrifice, it is more effective than violence. It is the soul force or truth force.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Poverty is the worst form of violence.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I believe that nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Gandhi

3. Inspiring Words on Standing up for Truth through Peaceful Means

“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I hold it to be a matter of duty to defeat violence through non-violence.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Non-violence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence I would advise violence.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Let nobody think that non-violence is cowardice. Non-violence is the supreme law.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“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.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” – Mahatma Gandhi

4. Enduring Lessons on Overcoming Hatred with Love and Compassion

“Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Nonviolence are as old as the hills.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi, 1930
“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Hate the sin, love the sinner.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I have always held that nonviolence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“There is no path to peace. Peace is the path.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The truth is that nobody really has the final say about his own life.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Faith… must be enforced by works where works are possible.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Love is the strongest force the world possesses, yet it is the humblest imaginable.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“My prayer is more to be able to resign in favor of some better man than to be appointed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“If we are to reach real peace in this world…we shall have to begin with children.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi

5. Guidance for Achieving Social Change without Violence or Aggression

“Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“We must become the change we want to see.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Hate the sin, love the sinner.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good.” – 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
“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“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.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – 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
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.” – Mahatma Gandhi

6. Power of Peaceful Resistance and Strength of Moral Force from Gandhi

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Non-violence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“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.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“If we are to reach real peace in this world and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with children.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The weakness of violence is this, it’s a descending spiral,begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Truth never damages a cause that is just.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The only tyrant I accept in this world is the still voice within.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Hate the sin, love the sinner.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honored by the humiliation of their fellow beings.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Peace is its own reward.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“I consider it my duty to resist war with all my might. If India makes nonviolence her creed, then India will have solved half her problems.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Poverty is the worst form of violence.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Conclusion

In conclusion, the quotes from Mahatma Gandhi shared in this article provide deep insights into nonviolence and peace. Spanning his lifelong experiences and perspectives, they capture his powerful philosophy of satyagraha and principles of passive resistance. By embracing truth, love, courage and understanding over hatred, his message of nonviolence continues to inspire people worldwide. I encourage readers to reflect on these thought-provoking quotes in our own lives and times. While the path is challenging, Gandhi’s vision that we can overcome conflict and injustice through peaceful and ethical means remains profoundly relevant.

120 Mahatma Gandhi Quotes On Peace And Nonviolence