Able Quote by Mahatma Gandhi
“My ahimsa is my own. I am not able to accept in its entirety the doctrine of non-killing of animals.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the Indian National Congress, 1931
Gandhi expresses personal struggle reconciling his principle of ahimsa with the practical difficulty of fully abstaining from harming animals.
In simple terms: He finds it hard to completely avoid killing animals despite his non‑violence belief.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge personal limits while striving for greater compassion.
Themes
ethical conflict
non‑violence
personal struggle
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- dietary choices
- animal welfare activism
- personal ethics discussions
Key Concepts
ahimsa
moral philosophy
cognitive dissonance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one balance idealism with everyday realities?
- What steps can reduce harm without total abstention?
A Different Perspective
Complete non‑killing may be impractical for many; compromise can still reflect core values.
![“We must look deeply. When we buy something or consume something, we may be participating in an act of killing. This precept [non-killing] reflects our determination not to kill, either directly or indirectly, and also to prevent others from killing.” quote by Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2c6/nhat-hanh-515_animal_we-must-look-deeply-when-we-buy-somethin_3075328.jpg)
