Indians today are governed by two different ideologies. Their political ideal set in the preamble of the Constitution affirms a life of liberty, equality and fraternity. Their social ideal embodied in their religion denies them.
B. R. AmbedkarRead
Lost rights are never regained by appeals to the conscience of the usurpers, but by relentless struggle....goa ts are used for sacrificial offerings and not lions.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that regaining lost rights requires active struggle rather than appealing to the oppressors' morals.
B. R. Ambedkar's quote highlights the harsh reality that those in power seldom yield rights simply through pleas for justice. Instead, true change requires a relentless struggle against oppression, emphasizing that many sacrifices demand action and perseverance—an analogy drawn from the idea that goats are regularly sacrificed, while lions represent strength and resilience that should be fought for, not easily given up.
Themes
RightsStruggleConscienceOppressionJustice
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about civil rights movements to inspire active participation.
More from B. R. Ambedkar
All quotes →Political tyranny is nothing compared to the social tyranny and a reformer who defies society is a more courageous man than a politician who defies Government.
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I like the religion that teaches liberty, equality and fraternity.
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Democracy is not merely a form of government. It is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience. It is essentially an attitude of respect and reverence towards fellow men.
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So long as you do not achieve social liberty, whatever freedom is provided by the law is of no avail to you.
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Law and Order are the medicine of the body politic and when the body politic gets sick, medicine must be administered.
B. R. AmbedkarRead
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