Inspiration follows from Mahatma Gandhi, a source of inspiration since I read his autobiography in college. For Gandhi, spirituality and social change were part of one seamless whole.

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1
There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.

2
Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as cooperation with good.

3
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.

4
Earthly possessions have nothing to do with your soul.

5
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

6
Truth is like a vast tree which yields more and more fruit the more you nurture it.

7
In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness.

8
Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.

9
Live simply that other may simply live.

10
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

11
My life is my message.

12
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

13
Nonviolence is not a garment to be put on and off at will.  Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.

14
Gandhi was once asked what he thought about western civilization. His response was: “I think it would be a good idea.”

15
Non-violence is a plant of slow growth, it grows imperceptibly but surely.

16
Religions are different roads converging upon the same point.  What does it matter that we take different roads, so long as we reach the same goal?

17
Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.

18
Hatred can be overcome only by love.

19
The duty of a man of God is to act as he is directed by his inner voice.

20
Real disarmament cannot come unless the nations of the world cease to exploit one another.

21
Don’t listen to friends when the Friend inside you says “Do this!”

22
Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly.

23
God sits in the hearts of all.

24
All I know is that He is all-pervading and where He is all is well.

25
Live as if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever.

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NOTES

The image is my block print of Gandhi’s words.

The quotes are from the following sources:

1.   The Book of Gandhi Wisdom, compiled by Trudy S. Settel, Secaucas, NJ, Carol Publishing Group, 1997)

2.   Non-Violence in Peace and War, published by Navajivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad, 1948.

3.   Gandhi on Non-Violence: A Selection from the Writings of Mahatma Gandhi, ed. Thomas Merton, New York, New Directions, 1964

4.   http://www.indiaspace.com/quotes.htm

5.   http://www.carolmoore.net/gandhi-quotes.html

6.   http://www.famous-quotes-and-quotations.com/gandhi-quotes.html

7.   http://quotes.prolix.nu/Authors/?Gandhi

8.   http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes

9.   http://www.sfheart.com/Ghandi.html

 

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