To forgive is not to forget. The merit lies in loving in spite of the vivid knowledge that one that must be loved is not a friend. There is not merit in loving an enemy when you forget him for a friend.
Mahatma GandhiRead
I came in contact with every known Indian anarchist in London. Their bravery impressed me, but I felt that their zeal was misguided. I felt that violence was no remedy for India's ills, and that her civilisation required the use of a different and higher weapon for self-protection. - Hind Swaraj
Interpretation
Mahatma Gandhi argues that violent methods are inappropriate for achieving change and that a higher moral approach is needed.
In this quote, Gandhi reflects on his encounters with Indian anarchists in London and acknowledges their bravery while criticizing their use of violence as a means to an end. He believes that true progress for India requires a shift towards non-violent and higher moral strategies, indicating a belief in the power of civilization and ethics over force and aggression.
In practice
In a speech advocating for peaceful protest, one might quote Gandhi to emphasize the importance of nonviolence.
To forgive is not to forget. The merit lies in loving in spite of the vivid knowledge that one that must be loved is not a friend. There is not merit in loving an enemy when you forget him for a friend.
Love never claims, it ever gives. Love ever suffers, never resents never revenges itself.
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
The real test of nonviolence lies in its being brought in contact with those who have contempt for it.
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
The devotion of such titans of spirit as Lenin to an Ideal must bear fruit. The nobility of his selflessness will be an example through centuries to come, and his Ideal will reach perfection.
Man can find meaning in life only through devoting himself to society.
The pain is there; when you close one door on it, it knocks to come in somewhere else.
Money is the seed of money, and the first guinea is sometimes more difficult to acquire than the second million.
Shrinking away from death is something unhealthy and abnormal which robs the second half of life of its purpose.
Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established
All is vanity, nothing is fair.
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