"I will give you
a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when
the self becomes too much with you, apply the
following test. Recall the face of the poorest
and the weakest man (woman) whom you may have
seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate
is going to be of any use to him (her). Will
he (she) gain anything by it? Will it restore
him (her) to a control over his (her) own life
and destiny? In other words, will it lead to
swaraj (freedom) for the hungry and spiritually
starving millions? Then you will find your doubts
and your self melt away."
- One of the last
notes left behind by Gandhi in 1948 expressing
his deepest social thought.
|