Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/776

 686 NON-CO-OPER \TION

attainment of the spirit's supremacy over the flesh, is a most powerful factor in one's evolution. After deep consideration, therefore, I am imposing on myself a five days' continuous fast permitting myself water. It com- menced on Sunday evening, it ends on Friday evening. This is the least I must do,

I have taken into consideration the All-India Con- gress Committee meeting in front of me. I have in mind the anxious pain even the days' fast will cause many friends ; but I can no longer postpone the penance nor lessen it.

I urge co-workers not to copy my example. The motive in their case will be lacking. They are not the originators of civil disobedience. lam in the unhappy position of a surgeon proved skiiless to deal with an ad- mittedly dangerous case. I must either abdicate or acquire greater skill, Whilst the personal penance is not only necessary bnt obligatory on me, the exemplary self- restraint prescribed by the Working Committee is surely sufficient penance for every one else. It is no small penance and if sincerely carried out, it can become infinitely more real and better than fasting. What can be richer and more fruitful than a greater fulfilment of the vow of non-violence in thought, word, and deed or the spread of that spirit ? It will be more than food for me during the week to observe that comrades are all silently and without idle discussion engaged in fulfilling the constructive programme sketched by the Working Committee, in enlisting Congress members after ma-king sure that they understand the Congress creed of truth and non-violence for the attainment of Swaraj, in daily and religiously spinning for a fixed time-, in introducing tho wheel of prosperity and- freedom in

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