Page:Fischer - A Week with Gandhi.pdf/106



When we started on our walk, I said, “I have found you so objective about your work and the world that I want to ask you to be objective about yourself. This isn’t a personal question but a political question: how do you account for your influence over so many people?”

“I can see the spirit in which you ask this,” Gandhi said. “I think my influence is due to the fact that I pursue the truth. That is my goal.”

“I do not underestimate the power of truth,” I argued. “But this explanation seems to me inadequate. Leaders like Hitler have achieved power by telling lies. That doesn’t mean that you cannot be come influential by telling the truth. But truth in itself has not always availed others in this country or elsewhere. Why is it,” I continued, “that you, without any of the paraphernalia of power, with out a government or police behind you, without ceremonies or even a tightly knit organization, for I understand that Congress is in no sense a disciplined, tightly coordinated body, how is it that you have been able to sway so many millions and get them to sacrifice their comforts and time and even their lives?”

“Truth,” he said, “is not merely a matter of words. It is really a matter of living the truth.” He stopped, and I felt he meant me to think of the simple life which he led. “It is true, I have not much equipment. My education is not great. I do not read much.” He paused.