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About this quote

What does it mean?
Commitment to a cause should inspire sacrifice for it, not the infliction of harm on others.
In plain terms
You can die for a cause, but you should not kill for one.
What can you take from it?
Nonviolence demands that means align with noble ends.

Where it applies

  • activism
  • conflict resolution
  • political dissent

Putting it to work

  • practice nonviolent protest
  • resolve conflict peacefully

Questions to consider

  • What causes are worth dying for?
  • Is violence ever justified?

Another view

Some argue self defense requires violence, which complicates strict nonviolence.

More from Mahatma Gandhi

  1. The truth is that God is the force. He is the essence of life. He is pure and undefiled consciousness. He is eternal.

    Permalink to quote #225
  2. There is more to life than increasing its speed.

    Permalink to quote #227
  3. The spirit of democracy cannot be imposed from without. It has to come from within.

    Permalink to quote #224

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