Even Gandhi, with all his charisma, did not 'melt the hearts' of his oppressors, as he had hoped. After softening, hearts harden again. Asoka too was wrong to think that he was changing the course of history, and that his righteousness would last 'as long as the sun and the moon'.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Even great figures like Gandhi and Ashoka found that moral influence and righteousness do not guarantee lasting change or lasting softening of hearts.
- In plain terms
- Moral influence like Gandhi's often wears off and isn't lasting.
- What can you take from it?
- Moral influence does not guarantee lasting change.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does goodness guarantee change?
- How do you measure impact?
Another view
Some movements do achieve lasting change.
More from Theodore Zeldin
The temptation before 1933 was to believe in Hitler as a savior, to believe in a national rebirth. The path to National Socialism led through a wasteland of pe…
Permalink to quote #4 It takes a long time for people to recognize their soul-mates when they have too limited an idea of who they are themselves.
Permalink to quote #6 The violent have been victorious for most of history because they kindled the fear with which everyone is born.
Permalink to quote #3
Related quotes
Even a purely moral act that has no hope of any immediate and visible political effect can gradually and indirectly, over time, gain in political significance.
Vaclav HavelVaclav Havel quote #1 Je ameroie mieus que uns Escoz venist d'Escosse et gouvernast le peuple du royaume bien et loyaument, que que tu le gouvernasses mal apertement.
Louis IX of FranceLouis IX of France quote #1 If we had fifty Eichmann's, we would have won the war.
Heinrich MullerHeinrich Muller quote #2