Dear ATCA Colleagues; dear IntentBloggers
[Please note that the views presented by individual contributors
are not necessarily representative of the views of ATCA, which is neutral.
ATCA conducts collective Socratic dialogue on global opportunities and
threats.]
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869 and it is a
great honour and privilege to remember his unique contribution to the
cause of global humanity and India's exemplary struggle for democratic
freedom through non-violent means: non-cooperation and civil resistance.
Albert Einstein wrote: "Mahatma Gandhi's life achievement stands
unique in political history..."
"...He has invented a completely new and humane means for the
liberation war of an oppressed country, and practised it with greatest
energy and devotion. The moral influence he had on the conciously thinking
human being of the entire civilized world will probably be much more
lasting than it seems in our time with its overestimation of brutal
violent forces. Because lasting will only be the work of such statesmen
who wake up and strengthen the moral power of their people through their
example and educational works. We may all be happy and grateful that
destiny gifted us with such an enlightened contemporary, a role model
for the generations to come."
In regard to Mahatma Gandhi and Philanthropy, Prof Einstein wrote:
"I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can
help humanity forward, even in the hands of the most devoted worker
in this cause. The example of great and pure personages is the only
thing that can lead us to find ideas and noble deeds. Money only appeals
to selfishness and always irresistibly tempts its owner to abuse it.
Can anyone imagine Moses, Jesus or Gandhi with the moneybags of Carnegie?"
In his letter to Mahatma Gandhi in September 1931 from Potsdam, Prof
Einstein wrote:
Respected Mr Gandhi!
I use the presence of your friend in our home to send you these
lines. You have shown through your works, that it is possible to succeed
without violence even with those who have not discarded the method of
violence. We may hope that your example will spread beyond the borders
of your country, and will help to establish an international authority,
respected by all, that will take decisions and replace war conflicts.
With sincere admiration,
Yours
A. Einstein
PS I hope that I will be able to meet you face to face some day.
In response, Mahatma Gandhi wrote from London in October 1931:
Dear friend,
I was delighted to have your beautiful letter sent through Sundaram.
It is a great consolation to me that the work I am doing finds favour
in your sight. I do indeed wish that we could meet face to face and
that too in India at my Ashram.
Yours sincerely,
M K Gandhi
By way of remembering the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, some of his famous
quotations are reproduced:
1. Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always
aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well. As long
as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it.
2. It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to
be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.
3. Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to
make mistakes.
4. Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do
are in harmony.
5. Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is
momentary. What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and
the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name
of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?
6. Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress. Honest
disagreement is often a good sign of progress.
7. I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers.
8. I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good
is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.
9. It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts,
than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence.
10. 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. Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth.
11. One needs to be slow to form convictions, but once formed they
must be defended against the heaviest odds.
12. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the
strong. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
13. You must be the change you want to see in the world.
14. You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a
few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
15. Hate the sin, love the sinner.
