“If one has no affection for a person or a system, one should feel free to give the fullest expression to his disaffection so long as he does not contemplate, promote, or incite violence.”
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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: Attributed to his 18 March 1922 sedition-trial statement, but Wikiquote flags '[specific citation needed]'; exact source within the trial unpinned.
About this quote
Disagreement doesn't have to be muted or polite to be legitimate; it can be voiced fully and openly. The one boundary drawn is force — express as much displeasure as you honestly feel, but the moment you reach for violence or incitement, you've stepped outside fair play.
When to use it
- An employee who tells HR plainly that a policy is unfair rather than quietly seething or slashing tires.
- A citizen who writes blistering letters to the editor about a new law but never threatens the officials.
- A student who challenges a teacher's grading openly in office hours instead of spreading rumors.