“It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence.”
- 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
“It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mahatma Gandhi asserts that it is better to acknowledge one’s true nature and face reality rather than pretend to embody a virtue like nonviolence when it is not genuine. He argues that it is dishonest to wear the “cloak of nonviolence” if one’s inner feelings are full of anger or violence. Instead, Gandhi suggests that one should confront the violence within, acknowledging it, rather than hiding behind a facade of nonviolence that does not reflect true inner peace.
The key here is authenticity. Gandhi is emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself, even if the truth is uncomfortable, rather than adopting a principle like nonviolence for the sake of outward appearances. He is cautioning against the danger of superficial adherence to ethical ideals, which may ultimately be a form of hypocrisy. In a sense, it is better to be openly violent (though Gandhi doesn’t promote violence as a long-term solution) than to claim the mantle of nonviolence while not genuinely embracing it.
The quote also explores the tension between internal values and external actions. Gandhi highlights that it is only through honest self-examination and inner transformation that one can truly embrace nonviolence in thought, word, and deed. Pretending to practice it when it is not part of one’s heart leads to impotence, meaning a lack of true power in one’s actions. Therefore, this quote is a call for genuine transformation from within, urging us to be mindful of our true feelings and act from a place of sincerity, rather than deceit.
