Gandhi himself never ruled out violence absolutely and unreservedly. He conceded the necessity of arms in certain situations. He said, 'Where choice is set between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence... I prefer to use arms in defense of honor rather than remain the vile witness of dishonor ...'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Gandhi accepted violence as a last resort to defend honor over cowardice.
- In plain terms
- He said using force is better than being a coward in dishonor.
- What can you take from it?
- Defending honor may sometimes require force over passive acceptance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is force justified for honor?
- How do you balance violence and dignity?
Another view
This justification could be misused to legitimize unnecessary violence.
More from Nelson Mandela
Gandhi remained committed to nonviolence; I followed the Gandhian strategy for as long as I could, but then there came a point in our struggle when the brute f…
Permalink to quote #73 Gandhi arrived in South Africa in 1893 at the age of 23. Within a week he collided head on with racism. His immediate response was to flee the country that so …
Permalink to quote #75 The Gandhian influence dominated freedom struggles on the African continent right up to the 1960s because of the power it generated and the unity it forged amo…
Permalink to quote #72
Related quotes
I see that the flagpole still stands. Have your troops hoist the colors to its peak, and let no enemy ever haul them down.
Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthur quote #4 Like an armed warrior, like a plumed knight, James G. Blaine marched down the halls of the American Congress and threw his shining lance full and fair against …
Robert G. IngersollRobert G. Ingersoll quote #5 I was angry with you about him, furious that he so much as set eyes on you. I would rather kill you than see you lie in his arms.' 'is that love then? A thing …
Alice BorchardtAlice Borchardt quote #8