To forgive is not to forget. The merit lies in loving in spite of the vivid knowledge that one that must be loved is not a friend. There is not merit in loving an enemy when you forget him for a friend.
Mahatma GandhiRead
I am not conscious of a single experience throughout my three months' stay in England and Europe that made me feel that after all East is East and West is West. On the contrary, I have been convinced more than ever that human nature is much the same, no matter under what clime it flourishes, and that if you approached people with trust and affection you would have ten-fold trust and thousand-fold affection returned to you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Human nature is fundamentally similar across cultures, and approaching others with trust leads to mutual affection.
This quote by Mahatma Gandhi reflects his belief that irrespective of geographical or cultural differences, the core of human nature remains alike. He emphasizes that by extending trust and affection toward others, one fosters an environment where these values are reciprocated, thereby enriching human connections.
Themes
Human NatureTrustAffectionCultural SimilaritiesUniversal Values
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about global unity, one might quote Gandhi to emphasize the need for trust and love among nations.
More from Mahatma Gandhi
All quotes →Love never claims, it ever gives. Love ever suffers, never resents never revenges itself.
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Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
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The real test of nonviolence lies in its being brought in contact with those who have contempt for it.
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Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
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The devotion of such titans of spirit as Lenin to an Ideal must bear fruit. The nobility of his selflessness will be an example through centuries to come, and his Ideal will reach perfection.
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