The Danish Peace Academy

GANDHI AND NORDIC COUNTRIES

Letter, June 30, 1917

Motihari,

June 30, 1917

My dear Esther,

I have your two letters before me. I returned from Ahmedabad on the 28th. I had a nice time there.

The city life I have always found to be chilling; the village life, free, invigorating and godly.

"Why has God given us so many gifts, powers, skill to invent if we are not to use them?" You have asked a question which I have asked myself and thousands are always asking. My humble opinion is that God has placed temptations in our way, the strength of which is the same as that of the possibilities of rise in moral grandeur. We may use our inventive faculty either for inward growth or for outward indulgence. I may devote my talents for utilising the falls from the Himalayas; I only increase mankind’s facilities for indulgence. I may use my talents for discovering laws which govern the falls from the Himalayas within me; I serve myself and mankind by adding to the permanent happiness. You will make up for yourself countless illustrations showing that all our talents are to be utilized only for inward growth which can come from self-restraint alone.

Do please remember me to Mr. Bittmann³⁰ and thank him on my behalf for permitting you to come to the ashram whenever you are free.

Your experience of the young man is nothing extraordinary. Pray do not be impatient to reform men and women whom you meet. The first and the last thing we have to attend to is to reform ourselves. In trying to reform, we seem to be judging. These young men often become worse for our handling. The safest course is to let such men leave us when they are found wanting. I have not sufficiently expressed myself. But you will understand. If not, please ask.

Yours,

Bapu

Source:My Dear Child, pages 14-15; Collected Works, Volume 13, pages 451-52

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