Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi Quote

"The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall. ... Freedom and slavery are mental states. Therefore, the first thing to say to yourself: 'I shall no longer accept the role of a slave. I shall not obey orders as such but shall disobey them when they are in conflict with my conscience'."

by:	Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)
Source:	M. K. Gandhi quoted in Gene Sharp, The Politics Of Nonviolent Action (1973), p. 59.
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Categories:	Slavery, Belief, Freedom, Free Thought, Power, Self-Determination, Obedience, Responsibility, Disobedience, Conscience, Integrity
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I like it a lot ! I've said and done the same.  -- Mike, Norwalk      6
and then be crushed by a government.  -- Hromano1030, Bangkok      1
-- Ronw13, Oregon
-- jim k, Austin
-- Mary - MI
Yes! And with such a declaration, the line is drawn in the sand. Then you will know your enemy, as those in support join you and those in opposition face off. Making the declaration leads to taking the stand -- all those that have been laying claim to you will start to whine, and some will show up to collect. Only those that have declared their freedom really know the extant to which their fellow man is enslaved. John Adams referred to this independent spirit as "the American mind." Has America lost its mind? Breaking the yokes would not be necessary had we not put our children into them to begin with and taught them to obey their masters.  -- E Archer, NYC      7
One also enslaves himself when he only sees himself as a victim. One must take charge of himself.  -- cal, Lewisville, TX      4
What is this thing called liberty? Is it a kind of freedom that requires the mortgage of our lives and souls? Is it something so precious that we are willing to kill and die for fear of losing it? If this is so, then liberty is a hard master and an awfully expensive date. If this is "freedom", then it is a strange freedom indeed. So .. is it freedom then? How do we even define freedom? To the Collectivist, freedom is freedom FROM responsibility and worry over day to day needs.. It is freedom FROM a capitalistic, competitive rat race.. However, to the Individual, freedom is freedom TO live an unencumbered life and to own property with the ability to defend that ownership. Obviously, this thing called "freedom" is awfully subjective. I know some who have separated themselves in the name of freedom. This "sovereign" status is a tenuous thing, those who are practicing it live in fear. They may be absolutely, legally, constitutionally, morally and ethically correct but, they must stake their very lives on this in a society that does not recognize the foundation they stand on. Some have paid the ultimate price in armed raids and others are rotting in jail. Is this really freedom? So what's the point then? Do we give up and jump into the boxcars? I don't think so. However, it is time to reassess just exactly what the GOAL is here, and to define it very clearly. What IS freedom, how is it defined, and by whom? True freedom is spiritual. We will always face limitations on our physical freedom, the very nature of even our original republican government recognizes and requires it. There is no absolute freedom, only a point somewhere on a continuum. What is the difference between a bit to the right or a bit to the left? Again, your answer will be entirely relative. It HAS to be! Spiritual freedom is beyond that. A spiritually free individual is truly free to fight and die for principles, and is also free to prosper, (spiritually), even under tyranny. The ultimate physical penalties, torture and death, are no threat to one who knows spiritual freedom. May we know that freedom, and rejoice in it. May it be our motivation, our goal and our reward..  -- vexari, VA      5
Born free to tacitly accept slavery Americans are born free. But then, through an artful web of "legal" deciet, trickery, word games and constructive frauds, we become enslaved. The irony is that we "choose" slavery by unquestioning acceptance of government licenses, numbers and status as a "U.S. citizen." In all humility, I may be the most appropriate person in America to write the following overview of how "Americans" have been betrayed. My career began a decade ago during the common law court movement and has survived "redemption" and the UCC. I have watched in horror as well-meaning people (many of them close personal friends of mine, who were lawfully seeking shelter from the legal storm) have fallen from self-righteous optimism to dejection, poverty, insanity, imprisonment and even death-by-suicide. It is safe to say that just about every sovereignty/freedom process or program that does not work has crossed my desk. But, we have been learning—we are not as hopeful and naive as we were in the common law court days. Through trial and error, good men and women have been challenging the ruthless power behind the benevolent facade of the U.S. government and its satellite state governments. In most cases, that power reaches out and destroys those who dare approach, but every now and then the good guys score a point or, in our defeat, we are able to glean valuable insight. During the weekend of June 18, 2005, a gathering of astute individuals assembled at a location in SE Oregon. The event was called by a couple of legal historians who had decided it was time to set the record straight on myths about legal process, citizenship status and lawful v. legal rights. As a participant, I can report that the gathering was marvelous in every way—good information, good people, good food and perfect weather. I can also report that, after years of "thrust-and-parry" between freedom-seeking Americans and freedom-usurping government agents, crystalline truths are surfacing. It is important that each of us understand the mechanisms that little men behind the curtains have put in place to ensure our perpetual enslavement. But more importantly, it is critical that we all understand that freedom is a choice and with that choice comes total responsibility—including the responsibility of finding one’s own way out of the unique slave state we create for ourselves through tacit acceptance of government constructs and "benefits." Following are, at this time, the ground rules by which we are forced to play with U.S. government in the contemporary game of life. Keep in mind at all times that the rules are made by government and, therefore, subject to change at any time and without notice. This should come to us as no surprise as the rules have always been changing in this manner. ~ by Don Harkins~ http://proliberty.com/observer/20050704.htm  -- vexari, VA      3
The Spirit of Truth and Liberty, is to cease from strife. walking at liberty in a sea of slaves. One must be entangled to strive. Therefore becoming Liberty's servant to Declare you are honored and freed from strife. ( didn't say it would feel good ). Gandhi speaks of "spiritual" liberty " apeleutheros " while his " chophshiy " is bound with physical chains. having yet to receive his " eleutheria" liberty. "Drowr" liberty, pure. 13 attributes declared, give strength and uphold the Tri-cord, which "is not soon broken." The state of government finds itself at odds when contrary through action. Yet the struggle for necessity, at liberty, the chase for capital, fruit of your labor, dreams, won and lost. trade it for nothing. The American dream, is a living dream, day by day. The verb gives action to that noun, Liberty. literally. live it. it matters not if you are rich or poor, " There is that makethhimself rich  -- Ronw13, OR
, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke." Proverbs 13:07 Commonsense, render unto God the things that are his.  -- Ronw13, OR
Befitting for the day, " Looking for that bless hope, and the appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.These thing speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." Titus 2:13,14, another at Liberty with Timothy, having been shown mercy. In defence of the knowledge of God our founding fathers openly Declared before the nations the origins of God our Creator and the Rock upon which the Republic rest. a life with gravity and purpose.  -- Ronw13, OR
-- jim k, austin
Referencing a sentiment attributed to George Washington — I personally would rather die on my feet than live on my knees. "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” (Patrick Henry)  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
Freedom and Liberty for a corporeal existence have finitely defined definitions at law (no matter an individuals censorial reaction thereto). Violations of freedom or liberty do not diminish their definitions only, a degree of criminality and injustice. Socialism and other forms of enslavement (theocratic or otherwise) only satisfy carnal lusts, not freedom or liberty's defined realization. Freedom is: “The state of being free; liberty; self determination:” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1st Edition); “the power or liberty to order one's own actions” (Colins English Dictionary); “The ability to act at liberty.” (Webster’s Dictionary) Liberty is: “The power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, except from the laws of nature.” (Bouvier’s Law Dictionary) Liberty is the “exemption from extraneous control. The power of the will, in its moral freedom, to follow the dictates of its unrestricted choice, and to direct the external acts of the individual without restraint, coercion, or control from other persons. Liberty is the right which nature gives to all mankind of disposing of their persons and property after the manner they judge most consistent with their happiness, on condition of their acting within the limits of the law of nature, and so as not to interfere with an equal exercise of the same rights by other men.” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1st ed.). Clarifying original fact, natural law intent, and de jure jurisprudence: “Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.” (Thomas Jefferson) “The Natural Liberty of Man is to be free from any Superior Power on Earth, and not to be under the Will or Legislative Authority of Man, but to have only the Law of Nature for his Rule.” (John Locke - second most quoted source for creation of the Constitution) “Personal liberty, or the Right to enjoyment of life and liberty, is one of the fundamental or natural Rights, which has been protected by its inclusion as a guarantee in the various constitutions, which is not derived from, or dependent on, the U.S. Constitution, which may not be submitted to a vote and may not depend on the outcome of an election. It is one of the most sacred and valuable Rights, as sacred as the Right to private property ⋯ and is regarded as inalienable.” (16 C.J.S., Constitutional Law, Sect.202, p.987). Liberty, under “the laws of nature and of nature’s God” (Declaration of Independence) – natural law, is the state of exercising all inalienable rights. “All men are created equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; among which are the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing the obtaining of happiness and safety.” (George Mason) Temporal life derives and ends in the spiritual. Spiritual freedom and liberty exist by the same definitions as does a corporeal definition and application — added to by an amalgamation of eternal (spiritual) truth, love, faith and knowledge. I really like your ultimate stated: "May we know that freedom (spiritual), and rejoice in it."  -- Mike, Norwalk      1

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