Escritas

Poems List

Prayer is not an old woman’s idle amusement. Properly understood arid applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.
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I could not be leading a religious life unless I identified myself with the whole of mankind, and that I could not do unless I took part in politics.
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Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and ofl at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our very being.
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Mental violence has no potency and injures only the person whose thoughts are violent. It is otherwise with mental nonviolence. It has potency which the world does not yet know.
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It is open to a war resister to judge between the combatants and wish success to the one who has justice on his side. By so judging he is more likely to bring peace between the two than by remaining a mere spectator.
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[Jesus], a man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.
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Must I do all the evil I can before I learn to shun it? Is it not enough to know the evil to shun it? If not, we should be sincere enough to admit that we love evil too well to give it up.
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I have known many meat eaters to be far more non-violent than vegetarians.
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My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest. This can never happen except through non-violence.
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It is difficult but not impossible to conduct strictly honest business. What is true is that honesty is incompatible with the amassing of a large fortune.
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Identification and Basic Context

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, widely known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born in Porbandar, India. He was one of the most important leaders of the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was known for his use of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience.

Childhood and Education

Gandhi was born into a Hindu Vaishnava family. His father was the Diwan (prime minister) of the princely state of Porbandar, and his mother was deeply religious. Gandhi received a formal education and later studied law at University College, London. His early influences included Indian religious traditions and the writings of Leo Tolstoy.

Literary Career

While not primarily known as a poet, Gandhi wrote extensively on philosophy, politics, and ethics. His writings include his autobiography, "The Story of My Experiments with Truth," and numerous articles, speeches, and letters. His writing was an extension of his philosophy and activism.

Work, Style, and Literary Characteristics

Work, Style, and Literary Characteristics The central themes of his work include truth (Satya), nonviolence (Ahimsa), self-sacrifice, and self-sufficiency. His style is direct, persuasive, and deeply rooted in his moral and spiritual principles. His work does not fit into traditional literary movements but rather into philosophical and political discourse.

Work, Style, and Literary Characteristics

Cultural and Historical Context Gandhi lived during a period of intense anti-colonial struggle in India and many other parts of the world. His work was deeply influenced by the ideals of Indian nationalism and the philosophy of nonviolent resistance, inspired by religious texts and thinkers such as Thoreau and Tolstoy. He engaged in dialogue with British and Indian leaders, challenging the colonial status quo.

Work, Style, and Literary Characteristics

Personal Life Gandhi married early and had four sons. His life was marked by deep asceticism, frequent fasting, and an unwavering commitment to his principles. His wife, Kasturba Gandhi, was a constant companion and an important figure in his movements.

Work, Style, and Literary Characteristics

Recognition and Reception Gandhi is revered worldwide as a symbol of peace and nonviolent resistance. Although he faced opposition and criticism during his life, his moral stature and the success of his philosophy of freedom struggle have earned him lasting global recognition.

Work, Style, and Literary Characteristics

Influences and Legacy Gandhi was influenced by Hindu sacred texts, Christianity, Buddhism, and Jainism, as well as by thinkers like John Ruskin, Henry David Thoreau, and Leo Tolstoy. He, in turn, influenced countless civil rights leaders and freedom movements worldwide, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Work, Style, and Literary Characteristics

Interpretation and Critical Analysis Gandhi's philosophy has been the subject of extensive study, with debates about its universal applicability and its effectiveness in different contexts. His approach to nonviolence as a political and spiritual tool remains a central theme of analysis.

Work, Style, and Literary Characteristics

Curiosities and Lesser-Known Aspects Gandhi was known for his simple lifestyle, weaving his own clothes (khadi) and living in communities (ashrams). His strength lay in his ability to mobilize the masses through his integrity and moral message.

Work, Style, and Literary Characteristics

Death and Memory Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, an event that shocked the world. He is remembered as the "Father of the Nation" in India and as one of the greatest moral and spiritual leaders in history.