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About this quote

What does it mean?
Liberty is undermined if achieved through the destruction of its future beneficiaries.
In plain terms
Freedom is a joke if you destroy the people who are supposed to enjoy it.
What can you take from it?
Protect people while fighting for freedom.

Where it applies

  • political movements
  • revolution
  • activism

Putting it to work

  • advocate nonviolence
  • protect civilians
  • ethical campaigning

Questions to consider

  • Can freedom be won without harming others?
  • What costs are too high for liberty?

Another view

History shows some liberties required conflict to achieve.

More from Mahatma Gandhi

  1. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

    Permalink to quote #212
  2. The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problem.*

    Permalink to quote #214
  3. That which looks for mercy from an opponent is not non-violence

    Permalink to quote #211

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