It is not given to man to know the whole Truth. His duty…
“It is not given to man to know the whole Truth. His duty lies in living up to the truth as he sees it, and in doing so, to resort to the purest means, i.e., to non-violence. God alone knows absolute truth. Therefore, I have often said, Truth is God. It follows that man, a finite being, cannot know absolute truth. Nobody in this world possesses absolute truth. This is God's attribute alone. Relative truth is all we know. Therefore, we can only follow the truth as we see it. Such pursuit of truth cannot lead anyone astray.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human beings cannot know absolute truth; they must live according to the truth they perceive, using non‑violence as the purest method.
In simple terms: Truth is relative; live non‑violently.
Key Takeaway
Practice non‑violence while seeking personal truth.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
spirituality
Mood
hopeful
determined
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
non‑violence
relative truth
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle conflicting truths?
- Can non‑violence always resolve conflict?
A Different Perspective
Non‑violence may be impractical in extreme threats.