Famous Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi Quote

"Truth resides in every human heart,
and one has to search for it there,
and to be guided by truth as one sees it.
But no one has a right to coerce others
to act according to his own view of truth."

by:	Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948) Leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India
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Categories:	Freedom, Individual Rights, Society, Sovereignty, Truth, Tyranny, Liberty, Civil Rights
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I give it two stars, because truth is not reliant upon the "heart". Just because my "heart" may believe "truthiness" (google the term) does not mean that what I believe is true. My heart may tell me that gravity does not exist or that Al Gore is god incarnate/an intelligent man, but this doesn't mean/prove anything other than my own stupidity. My heart may tell me that all infants need to die, women need to be raped, and politicians need to be hanged in a public square (whether or not I actually act on what my "heart" tells me is the truth or not) -- this does not constitute "truth". I DO have the right to coerce others to act according to my version of the truth, if I believe/reason/argue that man has acted outside his natural and inalienable rights and is no longer fit for protection at the law. By my RIGHT to do this, I may delegate my representative to act in my stead to incarcerate the agent who is not capable of self-government. I do NOT, however, have the right to coerce an innocent man (who has not infringed upon another's rights) to do what I want him to do, because he is a freeman who needs no permission from myself or society to express his property or to travel in any way he desires.  -- Logan, Memphis, TN      3
Excellent quote, I do believe that 'truth' resides there! And no, such truth would not tell anyone to rape a woman etc (no one, except perhaps an insane person, would believe that to be 'truth'). Like the quote says, òne has to search for it 'there.'  -- gdg, windsor, on      1
This definition of truth appears to be a subjective one compared to the objective ones we were discussing yesterday. My heart may tell me that Al Gore is a devil because he is a Democrat and that T. Boone Pickens is an angel because he is a Republican. But objective truth will tell me that since both are proclaiming the same thing, the thing may be truer than I once thought. And my heart should tell me that I should reconsider my judgement of persons opinions based upon some lable I attach to them and that maybe just maybe I should be a better listener and give more respect to the opinions of others. The "heart" should tell us of the truth of things like inalienable rights, innate equality etcetera, fairness and conscience etc.  -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas
Give me a break! What could be simpler... Hypocrites, read it again - I don't belive you guys  -- RobertSRQ
Truth in most ancient religions is given a heart designation. Ancient Hebrew portraid it as an equitable tangible, a building block, if you will, of Diety. Other religions believed it to be the objective reality of the way things are. By way of example: An eye witness to a crime's testimony may relay certain facts while the facts and actual event may be something other than that. Truth here is of subjective relevence. The key word in Gandhi's quote is 'view'. A drug adict's truth of reality, like the here eye witness, is skewed to be altered by the truth within. Most would rather stay uninlightened as to the truth because it doesn't support their chosen life style, perceptions, empowerments, etc.  -- Mike, Norwalk      2
Pathetic worthless drivel.  -- warren, olathe
Very good Mike - its like a coin placed on end in the middle of a round table, all those around the table see the coin differently, some see the figure one while others see zero. The coin hasn't changed, it's just the way we see it! The key is, it is what it is at the moment we see it - we just have to be able to change our opinion once we know where we are sitting around the table.  -- RobertSRQ
Truth is beyond human influence. It exists with or without any man. Our conscience resides in us and is a guide to revealing truth to us but, being human, it is imperfect as well for the very reason Robert describes. We can only see our own perspective. So, it is reasonable to consider others' views to get as complete a picture as possible. The conscience must be free to choose however, and coercion of conscience has no place in a free society.  -- Ken, Allyn, WA      1
Truth and revelation comes in stages and is additive. To be aware of various and if possible of all perspectives is the the great thing. Thus the waning and waxing moon are all true but the complete truth is to be aware of the whole picture. That is what education is all about.  -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas
Warren today you win the prize for succinctness, congratulations!  -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas
Gandhi asserts that truth resides in the heart and that we have to search for it there, not that all that is in the heart is true and whatever we find there is truth. With what do we 'weigh' the truth? Ultimately, the truth is whatever it is whether we recognize it or not, but in the end, we weigh all the possibilities. Are WE real? If so, then we are a part of the truth and the truth is a part of us -- it still requires an honest seeking.  -- E Archer, NYC      2
Personally, I believe that a person should search for truth in his or her head in addition to his or her "heart," but I do agree with Gandhi wholeheartedly that no one has the right to coerce others to act according to his or her own version of truth.  -- Anonymous      1
Truth here being discussed as it concerns this quote touches on the subjective v. the objective, perception v. reality, religion v. natural law, feelings / opinions v. all-inclusive fact and an emotionally based justification for life's style and action(s). Truth is in reality evidenced by all-inclusive fact at natural law an absolute and, as I've stated above, truth is most often metaphorically referenced by religion in the heart. The personal "truth" that conflicts subjectively with another's perception, feelings / opinion, religion or emotion is not the same objective truth that uniquely exists in reality, and evidenced by all-inclusive fact at natural law. Here, the nomenclature of language is deceptive and a basis for chaos.  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
-- Jim k, Austin
Taking the heart as metaphor and not the seat of reason, nor a pump, it remains "true" that its rate of activation responds to our emotional state that can be a reaction to any situation whether true or not; but we assign that reaction to validity. Which is perfectly reasonable and, from the poetic point of view truth itself. Why not ? As long as we are aware of the difference there is, in my opinion, more benefit than harm in this assignment. All of my emotions correspond to my state of mind; my beliefs at the moment. Which are, very often, momentary. The question remains: Once no longer stimulating are they true, or were they ever ? The responses to Gandhi's quote were varied as those who would celebrate emotion and those who would deny it. Some of those were quite emotional in their denial. Ain''t bad.  -- John Shuttleworth, NYC      1
Perhaps the word 'Conscience' would be better than 'Heart.' Then we don't have to use 'heart' as a metaphor. To have the liberty to act according to one's conscience does not insulate us against the consequences of the action. Our conscience may not be 'right' but it IS our right to act according to conscience as long as it respects the 'rights' of others. The search for Truth may ultimately be simply the discarding of that which is not true -- in the end, I believe the truth is to be spoken, even if it is "I'm not sure." So, to that end, I DO believe the truth resides in the 'heart.' ;-)  -- E Archer, NYC
The "heart" being the seat of emotion, is not the governor. But to be governed. Truths require separation to allow for distinction of notes in understanding. Tyrants care nothing for liberty, except their own.  -- Ronw13, OR
Perhaps our government and MSM should have this pinned to their office doors. Wow! they may die laughing! The only trouble is, the truth, in much of the government, does not reside in their hearts. And as for MSM (owned by the Jewish mafia) it has no heart. Gandhi was referring to people with a heart - when you sell your soul to the devil it includes your heart. The other major problem with this quote is that "others" have no idea what their view of the truth is and are therefore incapable of being coerced.. I give it four stars because the intent is honorable....  -- robert, somewhere inthe USA
OK, robert, I'm with E Archer, what have you done with the R acronym/robert we've come to know and expect (now a gun totten / selling soles to the devil resistance kinda guy). hmmmm  -- Mike, Norwalk      1

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