Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

“Educate, agitate, organize.”

“Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of li…”

“I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.”

“Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence.”

“Equality may be a fiction but nonetheless one must accept it as the governing principle.”

“Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated. We must realize that our people have yet to learn it.”

“Life should be great rather than long.”

“Indifferentism is the worst kind of disease that can infect a people.”

“Democracy is not merely a form of government. It is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience.”

“Self-respect is the most vital factor in life. Without it, man is a cipher.”

“Democracy in India is only a top-dressing on an Indian soil, which is essentially undemocratic.”

“Education is the milk of a tigress, and whoever drinks it will not stay without roaring.”

“I like the religion that teaches liberty, equality and fraternity.”

“Men are mortal. So are ideas. An idea needs propagation as much as a plant needs watering. Otherwise both will wither and die.”

“We must stand on our own feet and fight as best as we can for our rights.”

“A great man is different from an eminent person in that he is ready to be the servant of society.”

“Political tyranny is nothing compared to social tyranny, and a reformer who defies society is a more courageous man than a politician who d…”

“So long as you do not achieve social liberty, whatever freedom is provided by the law is of no avail to you.”

“Rights are protected not by law but by the social and moral conscience of society.”

“Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives.”

“I favour the sanctity of individual over that of any group or institution.”

“Where ethics and economics come into conflict, history shows that the victory is always with economics. Vested interests have never been kn…”

“I was born a Hindu because I had no control over it, but I shall not die a Hindu.”

“The caste system is not merely division of labour. It is also a division of labourers.”

“Turn in any direction you like, Caste is the monster that crosses your path. You cannot have political reform, you cannot have economic ref…”

“The Buddha's teachings are eternal, yet the Buddha never claimed his teaching to be infallible or binding for all times without inquiry.”

“Why do we want this freedom? We want this freedom in order to reform our social system, which is full of inequality, discrimination and oth…”

“The relationship between husband and wife should be one of closest friends.”

“The judgment of a society and of its religion must be made in accordance with social criteria based on social utility and social justice. N…”

“I am opposed to the system of Hinduism because it is based on the dogmas of Chaturvarnya (caste system), the Shastras and the Smritis — thi…”

“Society is always composed of classes, and the conflict of interests between them — whether real or imaginary — is a fundamental reality.”

“It must not be forgotten that intelligence is a rare commodity. Like any other social asset, its cultivation must be the goal of society.”

“Justice has always evoked ideas of equality and fair recompense. Equity is synonymous with equalization.”

“I am for a United India with a strong Centre so that there may be no room for future divisions and fractures.”

“Do not believe in fate; believe in your own strength and self-reliance.”

“One of the greatest penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”

“In Hinduism, there is no scope for the development of intellect, reason, and independent thought.”

“With great difficulty, I have brought this caravan to where it is today. If my people and lieutenants cannot take this caravan forward, und…”

“Before creating a classless society, one must make society casteless.”

“For a successful revolution, mere discontent is not enough; what is required is a profound and passionate conviction in justice, and in pol…”

“Nationalism can only be justified when the distinctions of caste, race, and color are dissolved in the supreme ideal of social fraternity.”

“A community that does not know its history can never create history.”

“Except for great and noble strivings, there is nothing truly precious in this world.”

“If you are free in your mind, then only are you truly free.”

“We are Indians, firstly and lastly.”

“Some people think that religion is not necessary to society. I do not hold that view. I consider the foundation of religion to be essential…”

“You can change taste, but poison cannot be turned into nectar.”

“Lost rights are never regained by begging or appeals of mercy, but by relentless self-respecting struggle.”

“Slavery does not merely mean a legalized form of subjection. It means a state of society in which some men are forced to accept from others…”

“Self-respect is the most vital asset in life. Without it, a human being is a cipher. To live with self-respect, one must overcome all diffi…”

“I do not want that our loyalty as Indians should be in the slightest way affected by any competitive loyalty, whether that loyalty arises o…”

“Bhakti in religion may be a road to the salvation of the soul. But in politics, Bhakti or hero-worship is a sure road to degradation and to…”

“Democracy is not merely a government of laws; it is an attitude of respect and equality towards fellow men. Indifference to injustice is th…”

“Knowledge is the foundation of a human being's life. Make knowledge your weapon and education your shield; without it, one walks in lifelon…”

“Law and order are the medicine of the body politic, and when the body politic gets sick, medicine must be administered with justice and equ…”

“The purpose of a constitution is not merely to create the organs of the State, but to limit their authority, so that the tyranny of the rul…”

“We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well. Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social…”

“Caste is not a physical object like a wall of bricks or a line of barbed wire. Caste is a notion; it is a state of the mind. The destructio…”

“My social philosophy may be said to be enshrined in three words: liberty, equality and fraternity. Let no one however say that I have borro…”

“An unchanging morality in a changing world is a recipe for stagnation. Morality and social rules must evolve to serve the expanding demands…”

“Teach your children self-respect and courage from early childhood. Instill in them the conviction that they are equal to anyone in this wor…”

“Fraternity means a sense of common brotherhood of all Indians — of Indians being one people. Without fraternity, equality and liberty will…”

“In the quest for human freedom and dignity, reason is our only reliable guide. Dogmas, blind traditions, and unquestioned authority are the…”

“Do not look at past miseries with despair or regret; look forward to the future with unshakable resolve, unity, and courage.”

“A society that permits systemic injustice against its weakest members is building its foundations on sand. Justice must protect the vulnera…”

“The progress and future of any nation depends fundamentally on the education, moral character, and intellectual emancipation of its youth.”

“Self-help is the best help. Do not depend on anyone else for your emancipation. Build your own destiny through continuous effort, moral dis…”

“Untouchability has ruined the Untouchables, it has ruined the Hindus, and ultimately it has ruined the whole of India. No nation can rise w…”

“True religion is that which ennobles man, purifies the mind, fosters universal fellowship, and promotes social harmony and peace.”

“To be born in poverty or social deprivation is not your fault, but to resign yourself to subjugation and die without fighting for your righ…”

“However good a Constitution may be, it is sure to turn out bad if those who are called to work it happen to be a bad lot. However bad a Con…”

“Ideas and truth are the most formidable weapons in the struggle for social emancipation. Awakening the conscience of the voiceless is the b…”