“But no one has a right to coerce others to act according to his own view of truth.”
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Probable attribution
This saying is widely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, but the attribution is not supported by a reliable primary source.
Likely origin: Gandhi, Young India 1924-1926; the closing sentence of 'Truth resides in every human heart... But no one has a right to coerce others to act according to his own view of truth.'
About this quote
Being certain you're right doesn't give you license to force others to live by your certainty. Conviction belongs to persuasion, not compulsion. Respecting another person's conscience — even when you think it's mistaken — is what separates leading from bullying.
When to use it
- A parent who lets a teenager explore their own beliefs instead of forcing attendance at services.
- A developer who insists the whole team adopt his coding style by decree rather than discussion.
- A friend who pressures everyone at dinner to follow his strict diet.