“To deprive a man of his natural liberty and to deny to him the ordinary amenities of life is worse than starving the body; it is starvation of the soul, the dweller in the body.”
- October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948
- British Indian Empire
- Lawyer, religious leader, social activist, political leader
- As a leader of the Indian independence movement, he advocated non-violent resistance (Satyagraha) and contributed to India’s independence from Britain.
Quote
“To deprive a man of his natural liberty and to deny to him the ordinary amenities of life is worse than starving the body; it is starvation of the soul, the dweller in the body.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mahatma Gandhi underscores the profound human need for freedom and dignity, suggesting that depriving someone of their basic rights and freedoms is more harmful than physical starvation. Gandhi believed that the essence of human life was not only found in the body, but also in the spirit and soul. To strip someone of their natural liberty—their ability to make choices, express themselves, and live with dignity—is to deprive them of their fundamental humanity. For Gandhi, personal freedom and access to basic amenities are not mere conveniences, but essential for the well-being of both the individual and the society as a whole. He saw any form of oppression or denial of rights as a form of spiritual violence, a moral degradation that harms the soul even more than it harms the body.
This perspective is still highly relevant in the modern world, where many individuals and groups continue to face oppression, marginalization, and denial of basic rights. Whether through political repression, economic inequality, or discrimination, people are often deprived of their freedom and access to basic needs, which can lead to both physical and psychological harm. Gandhi’s words are a reminder of the dehumanizing effects of such systems, and call for societies to ensure that every individual has the liberty and resources they need to lead a full and meaningful life.
A contemporary example of this can be seen in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice in various parts of the world. Racial inequality, refugee crises, and gender discrimination are modern manifestations of this deprivation of liberty and dignity. Activists who fight for the freedom and basic needs of oppressed communities—like Malala Yousafzai, Martin Luther King Jr., or those advocating for immigrant rights—are working to ensure that people are not spiritually “starved” by systemic oppression. Gandhi’s quote serves as a call to defend not only the physical rights of individuals but also their right to a dignified, free, and meaningful existence.
