Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Editor's introduction
- A note on the history of the text
- Principal events in Gandhi's life
- Biographical synopses
- Guide to further reading
- Glossary and list of abbreviations
- HIND SWARAJ
- Preface to the English translation
- Foreword
- I The Congress and its officials
- II The Partition of Bengal
- III Discontent and unrest
- IV What is Swaraj?
- V The condition of England
- VI Civilisation
- VII Why was India lost?
- VIII The condition of India
- IX The conditions of India (cont.): railways
- X The condition of India (cont.): the Hindus and the Mahomedans
- XI The condition of India (cont.): lawyers
- XII The conditions of India (cont.): doctors
- XIII What is true civilisation?
- XIV How can India become free?
- XV Italy and India
- XVI Brute force
- XVII Passive resistance
- XVIII Education
- XIX Machinery
- XX Conclusion
- APPENDICES
- SUPPLEMENTARY WRITINGS
- Bibliography
- Index
XVIII - Education
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 November 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Editor's introduction
- A note on the history of the text
- Principal events in Gandhi's life
- Biographical synopses
- Guide to further reading
- Glossary and list of abbreviations
- HIND SWARAJ
- Preface to the English translation
- Foreword
- I The Congress and its officials
- II The Partition of Bengal
- III Discontent and unrest
- IV What is Swaraj?
- V The condition of England
- VI Civilisation
- VII Why was India lost?
- VIII The condition of India
- IX The conditions of India (cont.): railways
- X The condition of India (cont.): the Hindus and the Mahomedans
- XI The condition of India (cont.): lawyers
- XII The conditions of India (cont.): doctors
- XIII What is true civilisation?
- XIV How can India become free?
- XV Italy and India
- XVI Brute force
- XVII Passive resistance
- XVIII Education
- XIX Machinery
- XX Conclusion
- APPENDICES
- SUPPLEMENTARY WRITINGS
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
reader: In the whole of our discussion, you have not demonstrated the necessity for education; we always complain of its absence among us. We notice a movement for compulsory education in our country. The Maharaja Gaekwar has introduced it in his territories. Every eye is directed towards them. We bless the Maharaja for it. Is all this effort, then, of no use?
editor: If we consider our civilisation to be the highest, I have regretfully to say that much of the effort you have described is of no use. The motive of the Maharaja and other great leaders who have been working in this direction is perfectly pure. They, therefore, undoubtedly deserve great praise. But we cannot conceal from ourselves the result that is likely to flow from their effort.
What is the meaning of education? If it simply means a knowledge of letters, it is merely an instrument, and an instrument may be well used or abused. The same instrument that may be used to cure a patient may be used to take his life, and so may a knowledge of letters. We daily observe that many men abuse it, and very few make good use of it, and, if this is a correct statement, we have proved that more harm has been done by it than good.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Gandhi: 'Hind Swaraj' and Other Writings , pp. 100 - 106Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1997