These Gandhi quotes hold the power to transform your life.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was known as the father of India because of his relentless pursuit and example of peace, love, and acceptance for all. He was a lawyer, politician, activist, and writer. However, he was best known for leading his nation to independence from British rule. Gandhi taught the world how to achieve progress, both politically and socially, through the practice of nonviolence.
His fellow Indians began to call him Mahatma or “Great Soul.” Huge crowds began to follow him along on his tours because of his universal message of peace and nonviolence. He became a household name worldwide, and his legacy lives on long after his death. We can learn many lessons from this incredible soul, and we have expounded on some of his teachings in the Gandhi quotes below.
Here are 10 Gandhi quotes that will help you change your life:
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“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment.”
Another way of putting this is: it’s not about reaching the destination; instead, it’s about the journey along the way. Many people hinder their efforts to achieve something because they limit themselves with self-defeating talk. Whether they want to run for a political position, write a book, meditate daily, or start their own business, most people stop themselves before they even get started. They want the result of their dreams, but not the journey of fighting for them.
Gandhi taught us that it’s better to work for your dreams than have them handed to you. After all, how good would it feel to have your book written for you or your business is given to you? There isn’t much satisfaction in being handed things on a silver platter. While it takes a lot of effort to achieve something, at least you can look back and be proud of your hard work to get there.
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“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Most of us want the world to change, but the problem lies in looking outside ourselves for that change. We want things to improve, but how many of us look in the mirror and ask how we can bring about change into the world? When we focus more on things we can control (ourselves), we feel more empowered and inspired to be the change.
Gandhi gave us a real example of this because he wanted peace but had to first find it within himself. He wanted justice and acceptance for all, so he went within to discover those attributes inside him. If you’re tired of the same story, you have to rewrite the script yourself.
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“A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it’s the prerogative of the brave.”
In our world, we came here to remember our origins of pure, eternal love simply. In this dense realm we live in, we can quickly forget this subtle truth, but it lies underneath our preconceived judgments and misconceptions. We are not these bodies or minds. Indeed, we are universal souls underneath the various masks we wear. Furthermore, we came here to evolve past anything that doesn’t remind us of our real home in the vast cosmos of time and space.
Gandhi came here as an evolved soul who knew the truth, and he shared that selflessly and persistently with others. He didn’t expect anything that he couldn’t give himself first. He became love so that others could find the courage to do so themselves.
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“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”
In life, our vibe attracts our tribe, so if we only see the wrongs in the world, we will continue to invite low vibrational people and events into our lives. As a whole, we do have a lot to heal from, but looking only at the negatives doesn’t portray the entire picture. Where darkness lives, light must also exist, because we live in a world of duality.
Gandhi knew that humanity had great potential and chose to focus on the positive aspects inside all of us. Instead of fighting violence with more of the same, he struggled with peace. Instead of fighting hate with hate, he drove it out with love. We must battle the dark forces on this Earth with love and light, and remember that all of us have goodness within our hearts.
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“I believe in the essential unity of people, and for that matter, of all lives. Therefore, I believe that if one person gains spiritually, the whole world gains, and if one person falls, the whole world falls to that extent.”
In other words, “united we stand, divided we fall.” The actions we take don’t just affect us; they ripple out in all of humanity. This explains why we must change on an individual level first before real changes begin to take place in our outer world. Getting in touch with our soul through meditation and yoga will help balance the frantic, fearful energy that seems dominant in our world today. Gandhi himself practiced yoga, which helped him achieve a balanced mind free from the ego. His selfless love toward others showed how changing yourself from within affects everyone around you in a positive manner.
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“It is my own firm belief that the strength of the soul grows in proportion as you subdue the flesh.”
If you want real change in your life, learning how to channel your energy productively will provide massive benefits. To do this, you have to focus only on what’s important and tune everything else out. In meditation, learning to quiet your mind will allow you to get in touch with your soul, which starves the ego. This is what Gandhi means by the quote above: once you calm the incessant and turbulent desires of the heart, what the soul truly wants becomes clear.
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“Life is an aspiration. Its mission is to strive after perfection, which is self-realization. The ideal must not be lowered because of our weaknesses or imperfections.”
Gandhi knew that humanity must move past our egotistical, selfish desires to evolve collectively. In our own lives, we must continually examine our progress in all areas. If we have become stagnant in any way, it’s vital to reassess goals and strive for them, no matter how slow our progress. As they say, slow and steady wins the race. As long as you continue to work on yourself in ways that benefit society as a whole, your journey on the path to self-realization will be rewarding.
Learn eleven small changes you can make to improve the world and enjoy your life more.
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“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to others.”
This Gandhi quote explains a common scenario. Humanity has become imbalanced because we have paid more attention to the selfish desires of our hearts rather than uplifting and serving others. If you want to find yourself, spend time volunteering at homeless shelters, or simply go out in your community and ask who needs help. You have gifts just waiting to be shared with others, and the best way to find them is to take action and notice those around you.
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“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
Gandhi was not a boastful, loud man. He was meek and peaceful, but he still made a massive difference in the lives of millions of people. Those who have a clear mission and desire to serve humanity will always be heard, no matter how quiet their voice. If you’re an introvert, don’t let that stop you from making a change in your life.
As you can see, some of the most exceptional people in history made a difference not with the volume of their voice, but by the strength and humility of their spirit.
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“Action expresses priorities.”
Where your attention goes, your energy flows. Pay attention to your priorities and what you give your power to. If any of these tasks are not in alignment with your goals and overall desires in your life, you need to reassess your responsibilities. That’s not to say that we have to give up everything that doesn’t serve our mission, but in general, if you want to inspire change in your life, you need to take action toward your goals.
Final thoughts on Gandhi quotes that will inspire change in your life
We hope the above quotes uplifted you and served as a reminder that all of us have the potential to create beautiful experiences and stories. In general, if you want to improve your life, you have to look within and learn to quiet all the voices in your head, pulling you in different directions. Once your mind becomes clear, it will be much easier to focus on your goals without the constant mental chatter.
By following Gandhi’s advice and practicing peaceful meditation, the changes you make within yourself spiritually will ripple out in the world. Also, practicing love, kindness, patience, and acceptance with yourself will allow you to see these attributes in others.
