If I die a violent death, as some fear and a few are plotting, I know that the violence will be in the thought and the action of the assassins, not in my dying.
My father was a statesman, I'm a political woman. My father was a saint. I'm not.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Indira Gandhi reflects on the contrast between her father's virtuous legacy and her own political persona.
In this quote, Indira Gandhi acknowledges the esteemed reputation of her father, who was a respected statesman and considered a saint, while candidly admitting that she does not match the same moral caliber. This statement illustrates her awareness of the complexities of her political life and the nuanced differences between her father's ideals and her own identity in the political arena, suggesting a reflection on the burdens of legacy and personal integrity in public life.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a political discussion to illustrate the challenges of living up to a legacy.
More from Indira Gandhi
All quotes βYou cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.
All my games were political games; I was, like Joan of Arc, perpetually being burned at the stake.
The power to question is the basis of all human progress.
People with clenched fists can not shake hands.
A nation' s strength ultimately consists in what it can do on its own, and not in what it can borrow from others.
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