Quotes

Others

Lord Irwin, Viceroy: Mr. Gandhi will find that it takes a great deal more than a pinch of salt to bring down the British Empire. Edward R. Murrow: [at Gandhi's funeral] The object of this massive tribute died as he had always lived - a private man without wealth, without property, without official title or office. Mahatma Gandhi was not the commander of great armies nor a ruler of vast lands. He could not boast any scientific achievement or artistic gift. Yet men, governments and dignitaries from all over the world have joined hands today to pay homage to this little brown man in the loincloth who led his country to freedom. In the words of General George C. Marshall, the American Secretary of State, "Mahatma Gandhi had become the spokesman for the conscience of all mankind. He was a man who made humility and simple truth more powerful than empires." And Albert Einstein added, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever, in flesh and blood, walked upon this Ea

Dialogue

Gandhi: [in South Africa] You mean you can appoint Mr. Baker as your attorney but you can't walk down the street with him? Khan: Well, I can, but I risk being kicked into the gutter by someone less holy than Mr. Baker.

Dialogue

Vince Walker: You're an ambitious man, Mr. Gandhi. Gandhi: I hope not.

Dialogue

Colonel: [moments before the Amritsar Massacre] Should we issue a warning, sir? Gen. Dyer: They've had their warning. No meetings. [pause] Fire!

Dialogue

Government Advocate: General Dyer, is it correct that you ordered your troops to fire at the thickest part of the crowd? Gen. Dyer: That is so. Government Advocate: 1,516 casualties with 1,650 bullets. Gen. Dyer: My intention was to inflict a lesson that would have an impact throughout all India. Indian Barrister: General, had you been able to take in the armoured car, would you have opened fire with the machine gun? Gen. Dyer: I think, probably – yes. Lord Hunter: General, did you realise there were children – and women – in the crowd? Gen. Dyer: I did. Government Advocate: But that was irrelevant to the point you were making? Gen. Dyer: That is correct. Government Advocate: Could I ask you what provision you made for the wounded? Gen. Dyer: I was ready to help any who applied. Government Advocate: General, how does a child, shot with a .303 Lee Enfield, "apply" for help?

Dialogue

Kinnoch: With respect, Mr. Gandhi, without British administration, this country would be reduced to chaos. Gandhi: Mr. Kinnoch, I beg you to accept that there is no people on Earth who would not prefer their own bad government to the good government of an alien power. Brigadier: My dear sir! India is British. We're hardly "an alien power"!

Dialogue

Sardar Patel: Bapuji, the whole country is moving. Gandhi: Yes. but in what direction?

Dialogue

Vince Walker: I met him once. Collins: You mean Gandhi? Vince Walker: Yeah, in South Africa, a long time ago. I wonder if he'll recognise me. Collins: What was he like? Vince Walker: He had a full head of hair then. We were a bit like college students, trying to figure everything out. Collins: Well, he must have found some of the answers!

Dialogue

Mohammed Jinnah: [After the Hindu-Muslim rioting all over India] You are the father of the nation. Gandhi: Today, I see no ground in that for anything but shame.

Dialogue

Nahari: I'm going to Hell! I killed a child! I smashed his head against a wall. Gandhi: Why? Nahari: Because they killed my son! The Muslims killed my son! Gandhi: I know a way out of Hell. Find a child, a child whose mother and father were killed and raise him as your own. Only be sure that he is a Muslim and that you raise him as one.

Dialogue

Gandhi: You're a temptress. Margaret Bourke-White: Just an admirer! Gandhi: Nothing is more dangerous, especially for an old man.