“There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts.”
- 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.
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Quote
“There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mahatma Gandhi emphasizes the supremacy of conscience over legal systems and human-made laws. He asserts that the moral compass—the inner sense of right and wrong—should be the ultimate guide for one’s actions, above any formal legal authority. For Gandhi, conscience represents the inner truth and moral integrity that transcends external rules or judgments, which may sometimes be unjust or flawed. The court of conscience is where an individual must face their own moral responsibility, and it holds a higher authority than any institution, no matter how powerful. Gandhi believed that true justice is not always found in legal rulings, but in adhering to universal principles of morality, such as truth and nonviolence.
Gandhi’s view reflects his broader philosophy that morality and justice are not simply defined by the laws of the land, but by the ethical and spiritual principles that individuals hold within themselves. This perspective is especially important in the context of civil disobedience, where Gandhi called on people to resist unjust laws by appealing to their conscience rather than adhering to oppressive government decrees. He demonstrated this during India’s struggle for independence, urging people to question the legitimacy of colonial laws that were seen as morally wrong. For Gandhi, the court of conscience was a higher moral authority that could not be easily silenced by the force of legal systems.
In modern times, this quote challenges the belief that legal institutions alone can define justice. It encourages individuals and societies to reflect on their moral obligations and not blindly follow laws that may contradict fundamental human rights or ethical values. Gandhi’s words also resonate in today’s conversations about human rights, social justice, and environmental responsibility, reminding us that legal systems should align with deeper moral truths. His call to listen to the court of conscience serves as a reminder that the pursuit of justice requires not only legal accountability, but also a commitment to ethical reflection and a courageous stand for what is right, even when it challenges established authority.
