Good Government is no substitute for self-Government.
 Mahatma Gandhi, Freedom's Battle Being a Comprehensive Collection of Writings and Speeches on the Present Situation (1922). copy citation

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Author Mahatma Gandhi
Source Freedom's Battle Being a Comprehensive Collection of Writings and Speeches on the Present Situation
Topic government self-knowledge
Date 1922
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/10366/10366-h/10366-h.htm

Context

“It audaciously says that Lord Milner's Mission listened to the Egyptians only when they were ready to lift the boycott of the Egyptian Council. For me the only training in Swaraj we need is the ability to defend ourselves against the whole world and to live our natural life in perfect freedom even though it may be full of defects. Good Government is no substitute for self-Government. The Afghans have a bad Government but it is self-Government. I envy them. The Japanese learnt the art through a sea of blood. And if we to-day had the power to drive out the English by superior brute force, we would be counted their superiors, and in spite of our inexperience in debating at the Council table or in holding executive offices, we would be held fit to govern ourselves.” source