The Natives in our hands proved to be most unreliable and obstinate. Without constant attention, they would as soon have dropped the wounded man as not, and they seemed to bestow no care on their suffering countryman. - on the native Africans, when Gandhi was practising law there.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Gandhi observed unreliability among native Africans during his legal practice.
- In plain terms
- Gandhi noted that locals dropped wounded men without care.
- What can you take from it?
- Historical observations vary by context.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do context and bias affect quotes?
- What does this tell us about history?
Another view
This quote reflects colonial biases rather than objective truth.
More from Mahatma Gandhi
The most heinous and the most cruel crimes of which history has record have been committed under the cover of religion or equally noble motives.
Permalink to quote #220 The Rich must live more simply so that the Poor may simply live.
Permalink to quote #222 The more subtle a force is, the more effective it becomes. Love is the greatest force in the world.
Permalink to quote #219
Related quotes
Although the mass of the people accepted the white man's God, either under physical duress or because he seemed more powerful than their own Gods, they never a…
Penny LernouxPenny Lernoux quote #1 I assisted at the birth of that most significant word 'flirtation,' which dropped from the most beautiful mouth in the world.
Philip StanhopePhilip Stanhope quote #2 White Australians were sent to Australia as convicts on great big boats. The scum of the earth, sent to the arsehole of the planet. On the way they must have b…
Adam HillsAdam Hills quote #2