Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Gandhi's pacifism might have included using force to stop war.
In plain terms
He might have fought if it meant preventing a bigger war.
What can you take from it?
Pacifism can sometimes mean fighting to prevent more violence.

Where it applies

  • debate
  • philosophy
  • policy

Putting it to work

  • analyze moral dilemmas
  • define pacifism
  • weigh values

Questions to consider

  • Can you stop violence with violence?
  • What limits pacifism?

Another view

This is speculation not supported by Gandhi's public writings.

More from Mahatma Gandhi

  1. A lot of people are waiting for Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi to come back -- but they are gone. We are it. It is up to us. It is up to you.

    Permalink to quote #261
  2. I could find no explanation worthy of the Mahatma for his decision to accept leadership of the khilafat movement. The decision, it seemed to me, revealed the g…

    Permalink to quote #263
  3. Everyone concerned in the better future of mankind must be deeply moved by the tragic death of Mahatma Gandhi. He died as the victim of his own principles, the…

    Permalink to quote #260

Related quotes

  1. It is only for those to employ force who possess strength without judgment; but the well advised will have recourse to other means. Besides, he who pretends to…

    XenophonXenophon quote #1
  2. 'Being a pacifist between wars is as easy as being a vegetarian between meals.'

    Ammon HennesseyAmmon Hennessey quote #2
  3. Om jeg hamrer eller hamres, ligefuldt sa skal der jamres!

    Henrik IbsenHenrik Ibsen quote #4