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Mahatma Gandhi and Stoicism share a profound connection in their emphasis on internal mastery over external circumstances. Although Gandhi was rooted in the Indian traditions of Advaita Vedanta and Jainism, his life was a living testament to the Stoic virtues of temperance, courage, justice, and wisdom. He practiced a form of radical self-control that the ancient Stoics like Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus would have immediately recognized.
"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes."
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
"I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet."
"Man should forget his anger before he lies down to sleep."
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind."
"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it."
"My life is my message."
"Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul."
"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."
"Purity of personal life is the one indispensable condition for building up a sound education."
"Each night, when I go to sleep, I die. And the next morning, when I wake up, I am reborn."
"Our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves."
"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history."
"The soul of reform is the reform of the soul."
Mahatma Gandhi's ideas matter because they bridge the gap between ancient philosophy and modern political activism. His life demonstrates that the Stoic ideal of internal resilience can be scaled to inspire millions and change the course of history.
To apply Gandhi's Stoic principles today, one should practice radical self-honesty and maintain emotional equanimity during conflict. By focusing on personal integrity rather than external validation, individuals can achieve a state of 'Satyagraha' in their daily interactions.
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"The ultimate lesson of Gandhi's Stoic journey is that true power resides in the soul that refuses to be conquered by its own passions or the world's injustices."