The Principles of Nonviolence

By Mohandas K. Gandhi

(1) Nonviolence implies as complete self-purification as is humanly possible. 
(2) The strength of nonviolence is in exact proportion to the ability, not the will, of the nonviolent person to inflict violence. 
(3) The power at the disposal of a non-violent person is always greater than he would have if he were violent. 
(4) There is no such thing as defeat in nonviolence.
 
    Nonviolence is not a garment to be put on and off at will.  Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our very being.  I know this cannot be proven by argument.  It shall be proved by persons living it in their lives with utter disregard of consequences to themselves.  Given the proper training and proper generalship, nonviolence can be practised by the masses of mankind. 
    Nonviolence is the supreme law.  I have not yet come across a situation when I had to say that I was helpless, that I had no remedy in terms of nonviolence. 
    A nonviolent revolution is not a program for seizure of power.  It is a program to transform relationships, ending in a peaceful transfer of power.  In nonviolence, the masses have a weapon which enables a child, a woman or even a decrepit old man to resist the government successfully.  If your spirit is strong, mere lack of physical strength ceases to be a handicap. The first principle of nonviolent action is that of non-cooperation with everything humiliating. 
    One has to speak out and stand up for one's convictions.  Inaction at a time of conflagration is inexcusable. 
    Satyagraha (truth force or nonviolent action) is always superior to armed resistance.  This can only be effectively proved by demonstration, not by argument.  Satyagraha can never be used to defend a wrong cause. 

The conditions for the success of satyagraha are:
(1) The satyagrahi (practitioner of satyagraha) should not have any hatred in his heart against the opponent. 
(2) The issue must be true and substantial. 
(3) The satyagrahi must be prepared to suffer until the end. 
The virtues of mercy, nonviolence, love and truth in any man can be truly tested only when they are pitted against ruthlessness, violence, hate and untruth. 

Source: In Thomas Merton's Gandhi on Nonviolence, 1965. www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/1335/gandhi.html

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Satyagraha is:
- A process of educating public opinion, such that it covers all the elements of the society and makes itself irresistible.

- A relentless search for truth.

- An attribute of the spirit within.

- An effective substitute for violence.

- The universal law of life.

- A law of universal application.  Beginning with the family, its use can be extended to every other circle.

- A means of ridding society of all evils, political, economic and moral.

- A force which thrives on repression until at last the repressor is tired and the object of Satyagraha is gained.

- A method of conversion and conviction, it seeks never to use the slightest coercion.

- A force that has come to stay. No force in the world can kill it.

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- Satyagraha does not begin and end with civil disobedience.

- A clear victory of satyagraha is impossible so long as there is ill-will.

- Whatever may be true of other modes of warfare, in satyagraha it has been held that the causes for failure are to be sought within.

A Satyagrahi (one who practices Satyagraha):
- Turns the searchlight inward relentlessly to weed out all the defects that may be lying hidden there still.

- Has infinite patience, abundant faith in others and ample hope.

- Loves his so called enemy even as he loves his friend. He owns no enemy.

- Exhausts all other means before resorting to Satyagraha.

Source: Mahatma Gandhi's "Words of Wisdom." Compiled by Sunanda Gandhi. M.K.Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence web site: www.gandhiinstitute.orgquotes2.html