“They cannot take away our self respect if we do not give it to them.”
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Attribution note
Appears as dialogue in the 1982 film and on quote sites, but no primary Gandhi speech/letter surfaced; the attribution rests on the film, not documented writings.
Likely origin: Associated with the 1982 film 'Gandhi' (IMDb quotes); no confirmed historical speech or primary text located. Likely screenplay/paraphrase.
Review the attribution sourceAbout this quote
Insults, snubs, and unfair treatment only land when some part of you agrees with them. Dignity is a stance you hold on the inside, not a verdict handed to you by others. When someone tries to belittle you, the real question is whether you sign on to their judgment — refuse, and the attempt has nothing to grip.
When to use it
- An employee stays composed and factual when a boss berates them in a meeting, refusing to shrink.
- A student mocked for an accent keeps speaking up in class instead of going quiet.
- A person on the receiving end of a relative's cutting remarks declines to argue or absorb them at dinner.