Morarji Desai Quotes

43 Sourced Quotes

If we do not want to be pained by anybody we must not pain anybody; and how can man consider himself humane if he wants to live at the cost of others.

Morarji Desai
I do not want to go into its physical reasons: the construction of the human body is different from that of carnivorous animals. But man's intelligence is such that it can be utilised to defend any-thing he does, whether right or wrong.

Morarji Desai
I believe in preventing cruelty to all living beings in any form.

Morarji Desai
I would, therefore, say that for no reason whatsoever, except in self-defense, should one think of killing any animal.

Morarji Desai
One can't be kind to one person and cruel to another.

Morarji Desai
One has got to choose between the two evils, also between the lesser of the two evils in the matter of food, and therefore vegetarian food has got to be taken by man in order to sustain human life

Morarji Desai
For those who believe in God the matter is simpler still and clearly than anything else: because those who believe in God believe that God is the Creator of the whole Universe and there is nothing that does not come from Him.

Morarji Desai
I can't say I have shed [ego] it completely. I have certainly given it up, up to 95 per cent. I believe until and unless I give up my ego, I can't realise God. My whole ambition in life is to realise God or truth, whatever you may want to call it. Do you believe in God? It's a fashion not to believe in God.

Morarji Desai
Celibacy is not only my view, but also that of several others', including the Roman Catholic Church. I don't say that this can be prescribed to the people. Here again, people say that I am imposing my will on them. I am not alone, Mahatma Gandhi was also against all artificial methods of family planning. He felt strongly about it. He said that by using it, you're turning women into prostitutes. He used such hard language. But, I know that the government doesn't run on individual opinions. Celibacy depends on self will. Only one in a million people can do it. It's necessary to have family planning. But, it doesn't lead to mental strength.

Morarji Desai
Fate gets you into positions of power. Life takes you there. I only do my duty and service to the people. I take all conditions as they come cheerfully and do my duty.

Morarji Desai
In the early ages, I believe not much thought was given to what man is and what his real functions should be, and what is the real purpose of his life.

Morarji Desai
To live a life of truth one has to suffer, but must suffer cheerfully

Morarji Desai
The vegetarian movement is an ancient movement and is not quite a modern one.

Morarji Desai
Is any serious crime committed without drinking? You see, if drinking were ruining only the man himself, then it wouldn't matter so much. But, why have we introduced it [prohibition] in the constitution? It's a crime against society as well. Take the case of ending your own life. Life is to live, therefore we've to discourage suicide. That doesn't mean you can't actually stop suicide, nobody can stop the actual act. Therefore, it's only the unsuccessful attempt which is an offence.

Morarji Desai
God has also given the sense to control. He has given us intelligence which could be utilised both for good and bad. I am not saying it's easy for people to adopt celibacy—very few can do it.

Morarji Desai
I only cherished service to people. There should not be greed even in service.

Morarji Desai
You are quite correct in saying that I banned the export of monkeys on a humanitarian basis and not because the number was lessening.

Morarji Desai
[becoming the Prime Minister of this country] That's destiny. That's not the result of my work. But, what I do as Prime Minister is a new action for which I am responsible. And whatever wrong I have done, I'll have to pay for it.

Morarji Desai
There is an inherent quality [resistant to change] in this country which doesn't allow anybody to destroy it. Whoever tries to destroy it will himself be destroyed. Ravan was destroyed.

Morarji Desai
This country [India] has the best future. When it reached its summit, it was bound to come down. It has taken 2000 years. Yet, this is the only country which has not been destroyed in the world. All other civilizations have gone.... This is the only country whose civilization has survived to this day. Whether it is Egypt, Babylon or Sumeria, there is absolutely no indication of that in those countries at present.

Morarji Desai