Find out why Mahatma Gandhi’s quotes on civil disobedience still apply today and how they can inspire you to stand up for what you believe in!
As a youth, Gandhi was fascinated by the writings of Henry David Thoreau, and this eventually led him to develop his own form of non-violent protest against British rule in India.
Gandhi’s quotes on civil disobedience have inspired millions of people over the years, encouraging them to stand up for what they believe in even when it was unpopular or considered unacceptable by many others.
Mahatma Gandhi was the civil rights leader who led India’s independence movement. He also spent his life fighting for nonviolent resistance against oppression.
Here are 46 powerful and motivational quotes from the iconic leader of the Indian independence movement that will help inspire you to stand up for what you believe in.
You can use these as inspo to convince people to follow your ideas and make a positive change in the world!
Related: Henry David Thoreau Quotes on Civil Disobedience
Short Quotes by Gandhi on Civil Disobedience
Civil disobedience can never be in general terms, such as for independence. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Non-cooperation and civil disobedience are, but different branches of the same tree called satyagraha. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Civil disobedience and excitement and intoxication go ill together. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Satyagraha does not begin and end with civil disobedience. ―Mahatma Gandhi
An unjust law is itself a species of violence. Arrest for its breach is more so. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Mass civil disobedience is like an earthquake, a sort of general upheaval on the political plane. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as cooperation with good. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Civil disobedience is the inherent right of a citizen. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Disobedience to be civil has to be open and nonviolent. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Civil disobedience is a preparation for mute suffering. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Famous Quotes From Mahatma Gandhi on Civil Disobedience
Civil disobedience means capacity for unlimited suffering, without the intoxicating excitement of killing. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Satyagraha and civil disobedience and fasts have nothing in common with the use of force, veiled or open. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Civil disobedience can only lead to strength and purity. ―Mahatma Gandhi
If they are truly nonviolent, they must also realize that civil disobedience is an impossibility till the preliminary work of construction is done. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Such expression is impossible in a cramped atmosphere. As I have no desire to offer civil disobedience, I cannot write freely. As the author of satyagraha I cannot, consistently with my profession, suppress the vital part of myself for the sake of being able to write on permissible subjects. … It would be like dealing with the trunk without the head. ―Mahatma Gandhi
If I find that even my father has imposed upon me a law which is repugnant to my conscience, I think it is the least drastic course that I could adopt by respectfully telling him that I cannot obey it. By that course, I do nothing but justice to my father… I have myself followed that course with the greatest advantage, and I have preached that ever since. If it is not disrespectful to say so to my father, it is not so to say so to a friend and for that matter to my Government. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Truth and nonviolence demand that no human being may debar himself from serving any other human being, no matter how sinful he may be. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Disobedience, to be civil, implies discipline, thought, care, attention. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Civil disobedience becomes a sacred duty when the state becomes lawless or corrupt. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Civil disobedience asks for and needs not a single farthing for its support. It needs and asks for stout hearts with a faith that will not flinch from any danger and will shine the brightness in the face of severest trial. Civil disobedience is a terrifying synonym for suffering. But it is better often to understand the terrible nature of a thing if people will truly appreciate its benignant counterpart. Disobedience is a right that belongs to every human being and it becomes a sacred duty when it springs from civility, or, which is the same thing, love. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Complete civil disobedience is a state of peaceful rebellion, a refusal to obey every single state-made law. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Civil disobedience does not admit of any violence or countenancing of violence, directly or indirectly. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Best Quotes by Mahatma Gandhi on Civil Disobedience
Civil disobedience is the only nonviolent escape from the soul-destroying heat of violence. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Before civil disobedience can be practiced on a vast scale, people must learn the art of civil or voluntary obedience. ―Mahatma Gandhi
There is no “playing with truth” in the Charkha program, for satyagraha is not predominantly civil disobedience but a quiet and irresistible pursuit of Truth. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Aggressive civil disobedience should be confined to a vindication of the right of free speech and free association. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Civil disobedience presupposes willing obedience of our self-imposed rules, and without it civil disobedience would be a cruel joke. ―Mahatma Gandhi
The only safe and honorable course for a self-respecting man is to do what I have decided to do, that is, to submit without protest to the penalty of disobedience … not for want of respect for lawful authority, but in obedience to the higher law of our being, the voice of conscience. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Civil disobedience is the assertion of a right which law should give, but which it denies. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Unless nonviolence of the strong is really developed among us, there should be no thought of civil disobedience for Swaraj, whether within the states or in British India. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Without proper, careful organization of the spinning wheel and khaddar, there is absolutely no civil disobedience. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Exploitation and domination of one nation over another can have no place in a world striving to put an end to all war. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Disobedience that is wholly civil should never provoke retaliation. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Civil disobedience is a stimulation for the fighters and a challenge to the opponent, in the present instance, authority. ―Mahatma Gandhi
In placing civil disobedience before constructive work I was wrong and I did not profit by the Himalayan blunder that I had committed. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Mass civil disobedience was for the attainment of independence. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Ours is a civil fight, and imprisonment as a civil prisoner has got to be earned by the strict observance of the program. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Indeed, a civil resister offers resistance only when peace becomes impossible. ―Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Civil Disobedience You’d Love to Tweet
Non-co-operation and civil disobedience in terms of Swaraj are not to be thought of without substantial constructive effort. ―Mahatma Gandhi Share on XThe Charkha, which is the embodiment of willing obedience and calm persistence, must therefore succeed before there is civil disobedience. ―Mahatma Gandhi Share on XThe privilege of resisting or disobeying a particular law or order accrues only to him who gives willing and unswerving obedience to the laws laid down for him. ―Mahatma Gandhi Share on XDownload Best Mahatma Gandhi Quotes on Civil Disobedience Quotes
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FAQs
Who is Mahatma Gandhi?
Mahatma Gandhi led India’s peaceful, non-violent protest movement against British rule. It is widely considered that he is one of the most important figures in world history, and he is admired for his work in the civil rights movement.
What is Gandhi’s famous quote on Civil Disobedience?
It is often quoted, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
So what does this mean?
This means that first when somebody starts protesting or resisting the government or another group for injustices committed against them, it’s ignored and people might even laugh at them. Then once their protests become louder or go unignored too long then resistance follows and eventually the protesters win over their opposition and achieve whatever goals they had set out to accomplish through nonviolent means.
When did Gandhi start Civil Disobedience movement?
Gandhi began advocating nonviolent civil disobedience in 1921, although he had been dealing with issues of class and social inequality since 1906.
Who is known as Gandhi’s mentor?
Mahatma Gandhi learned about passive resistance through Henry David Thoreau who advocated Civil Disobedience to oppose slavery and the Mexican-American War in 1848-1854.
What is Gandhi famous for?
Gandhi is remembered as the leader of the Indian independence movement and is also remembered for his advocacy of nonviolence.
When did Gandhi start non-cooperation movement in India?
Mahatma Gandhi started the Indian National Congress in 1885, which later led to non-cooperation movement and finally the Indian Independence Movement.
What made Gandhi the Father of Nation for India?
India got independence from British rule because of Gandhi’s nonviolent civil disobedience movement. He is since then called as the Father of Nation in his home country of India.
How did Gandhi see violence as?
Gandhi believed that violence destroys self-respect and dignity and was morally wrong to use violence against anyone whether they’re your enemy or friend because violence begets violence.
Conclusion
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