Here are 30 Indira Gandhi Quotes From The Heart of a Leader. These quotes reflect Indira Gandhi’s thoughts on politics, leadership, and social issues. Some of them are attributed and may not have exact dates or sources.
- “The power to question is the basis of all human progress.” – Speech at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam (1976)
- “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.” – Speech in New Delhi (1971)
- “There are moments in history when brooding tragedy and its dark shadows can be lightened by recalling great moments of the past.” – Selected Speeches of Indira Gandhi: January 1966-August 1969 (1971)
- “Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.” – Speeches and Writings of Indira Gandhi (1985)
- “The meek may one day inherit the earth, but not the mineral rights.” – Attributed
- “Martyrdom does not end something, it only a beginning.” – Speech at the All India Congress Committee session, New Delhi (1984)
- “My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.” – Attributed
- “I have lived a long life, and I am proud that I spent the whole of my life in the service of my people… I shall continue to serve until my last breath, and when I die, I can say that every drop of my blood will invigorate India and strengthen it.” – Speech before her assassination (1984)
- “A nation’s strength ultimately consists in what it can do on its own, and not in what it can borrow from others.” – Speech in New Delhi (1974)
- “People tend to forget their duties but remember their rights.” – Speech at the 20th Conference of the International Association of Lawyers, New Delhi (1977)
- “Even if I died in the service of the nation, I would be proud of it. Every drop of my blood… will contribute to the growth of this nation and to make it strong and dynamic.” – Speech before her assassination (1984)
- “The purpose of life is to believe, to hope, and to strive.” – Attributed
- “I do not like carving the world into segments; we are one world.” – Interview with Oriana Fallaci (1972)
- “You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.” – Attributed
- “There is no love where there is no will.” – Attributed
- “We have to shed mutual bickerings, shed the differences of being high or low, develop a sense of equality and banish untouchability.” – Speech at Harijan Sevak Sangh, New Delhi (1975)
- “Every democratic system evolves its own conventions. It is not only the Constitution, but it is also the traditions which create a spirit of patriotism.” – Speech in Parliament (1969)
- “There exists no politician in India daring enough to attempt to explain to the masses that cows can be eaten.” – Attributed
- “Education is a liberating force, and in our age, it is also a democratizing force.” – Speech at Delhi University (1974)
- “There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.” – Attributed
- “The environmental problems of developing countries are not the side effects of excessive industrialisation but reflect the inadequacy of development.” – Speech at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm (1972)
- “We would rather starve than sell our national honor.” – Speech in New Delhi (1966)
- “We have believed – and we do believe now – that freedom is indivisible, that peace is indivisible, that economic prosperity is indivisible.” – Speech in Colombo, Sri Lanka (1973)
- “I am proud that I spent the whole of my life in the service of my people… I shall continue to serve until my last breath, and when I die, I can say that every drop of my blood will invigorate India and strengthen it.” – Speech before her assassination (1984)
- “I am not a person to be pressured – by anybody or any nation.” – Attributed
- “All my games were political games; I was, like Joan of Arc, perpetually being burned at the stake.” – Interview with Oriana Fallaci (1972)
- “The greatest of all mistakes is to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can.” – Attributed
- “Life is a continuous process of adjustment.” – Attributed
- “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” – Attributed
- “There is not love where there is no will.” – Attributed