Maxims of Life

— Mahatma Gandhi

Our scriptures have laid down certain rules as maxims of life and as axioms which we have to take for granted as self-demonstrated truths. Believing in these implicitly for all these long years and having actually endeavoured to reduce to practice these injunctions. The rules that have been drawn up and that have to be observed by every one who seeks to be a member of that Ashram [are as follows]:

The Vow of Truth

Not truth simply as we ordinarily understand it, not truth which merely answers the saying, `Honesty is the best policy,' implying that, if it is not the best policy, we may depart from it. But here Truth as it is conceived means that we have to rule our life by this law of Truth at any cost.

The Vow of Ahimsa

Ahimsa really means that you may not offend anybody; you may not harbour an uncharitable thought, even in connection with one who may consider himself to be your enemy. For one who follows this doctrine there is no room for an enemy.. But there are people who consider themselves to be his enemies. So it is held that we may not harbour an evil thought even in connection with such persons.

The Vow of Non-thieving

If I take anything that I do not need for my own immediate use and keep it, I thieve it from somebody else. It is the fundamental law of Nature, without exception, that Nature, without exception, that Nature produces enough for our wants from day to day; and if produces enough for our wants from day to day; and if only everybody took enough for himself and nothing more, there would be no pauperism in this world,
there would be no man dying of starvation.

The Vow of Celibacy

Those who want to perform national service, or to have a gleam of the real religious life, must lead a celibate life, whether married or unmarried. Marriage only brings a woman closer to man, and they become friends in a special sense, never to be parted either in this life or in the lives to come.

The Vow of Non-possession

I dare not possess anything which I do not want. In India, we have got many millions of people who have to be satisfied with one meal a day, and that meal consisting of a chapati containing no fat in it and a pinch of salt. You and I have no right to anything that we really have until these many million are clothed and fed. (Address at YMCA Auditorium, Madras, 1916)

The Vow of Body Labour

I cannot imagine anything nobler or more national that for, say, one hour in the day, we should all do the labour that the poor must do, and thus identify ourselves with them and through them with all mankind. I cannot imagine better worship of God than that in His name I should labour for the poor even as they do. (Young India, 20.10.1921)

The Vow of the Control of the Palate

I fear this is one of the most difficult vows to follow. Unless we are prepared to rid ourselves of stimulating, heating, and exciting condi
ment we will certainly not be able to control the over-abundant, unnecessary, and exciting stimulation of the animal passions.

The Vow of Fearlessness

I suggest to you that there is only One whom we have to fear, that is God. When we fear God, then we shall fear no man, however high-placed he may be; and if you want to follow the vow of Truth, then fearlessness is absolutely necessary. (Address at YMCA auditorium, Madras, 16.2. 1916)

The Vow of Religious Tolerance

Tolerance gives us spiritual insight, which is as far from fanaticism as the North Pole from the South. True knowledge of religion breaks down the barriers between faith and faith. Cultivation of tolerance for other faiths will impart to us a truer understanding of our own
(From Yeravda Mandir; Ashram Observances)

The Vow of Swadeshi

We are departing from one of the sacred laws of our being when we leave our neighbourhood and go out somewhere else in order to satisfy our wants.

The Vow regarding the `Untouchables'

There is an ineffaceable blot that Hinduism today carries with it. This evil has stuck to us and still remains with us. It is, to my mind, a curse that has come to us; and as long as the consider that every affliction in this sacred land is a proper punishment for the indelible crime that we are committing. (Address at YMCA Auditorium, Madras, 16.2. 1916)