Mahatma Gandhi's Personal Mission Statements

Superior Essays
a) According to www.missionstatements.com, the definition of a personal mission statements is, ‘A personal mission statement provides clarity and gives you a sense of purpose. It defines who you are and how you will live.’
In light of the aforementioned definition, I believe that Source A is an example of a personal mission statement. Mahatma Gandhi lived his life as a non-violent man who did not fold into injustices. He accepted the consequences of his decisions which were firmly based on his values – for example, been jailed several times for consciously breaking the law in order to challenge the political order. His personal mission statement reflects his life and how he lived, where justice was a key driver in all his actions.
With regards to Source B, I believe that it is also an example of a personal mission statement. Benjamin Franklin lived an interesting life, a self made man who had no formal education but taught himself everything from his passion for reading and learning. His values were reflected in his business ethics, his diplomatic relations and in his personal lifestyle. He spoke only when he wanted to benefit
…show more content…
Source A is simple and specific – justice, truth and God. Source B covers a wider range of issues applicable in both personal and business goals.
My preference would be Mahatma Gandhi’s personal mission statement rather than Benjamin Franklin’s because I identify more with Gandhi’s value system and beliefs. His belief of having no fear to any other person on Earth and to not accept any form of discrimination appeals more to me than Franklin’s values living a moderate life. Gandhi’s prioritized justice and fighting for the rights of his country and their citizens. He used Satyagraha as his greatest weapon to make impact. He was proud of his culture and demonstrated his choices in his actions (for example wearing cloth spun by

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Thoreau wrote “The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right.” (Thoreau) This was in regards to his refusal to stand for unjust laws which Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohamad Gandhi would later follow. Gandhi was also arrested for government protest against unjust laws and his motivation to continue to stand up for his beliefs stemmed from reading Thoreau’s essay. (The Power of Peace)…

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi provided explicit instructions in their writings for the way to complete their goal. These instructions differed in that Gandhi’s outlined a specific way of life that one should follow where Dr. King’s outlined a process followed leading up to direct action and understanding the meaning behind the actions. Gandhi taught four rules “he considered indispensable if one wanted to serve either God or humanity” (Orwell, 3) consisting of limiting consumption of animal products and a completely vegetarian diet, no alcohol, tobacco, or spices on food, no sexual intercourse, and no close friendships. He believed that by following these rules one is better able to love God and humanity as a whole thus being able to “[defeat] the enemy without hurting him and without feeling, or arousing hatred” (Orwell, 5). Dr. King, on the other hand, outlined “four basic steps [in non-violent campaigns]: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exists; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action” (King).…

    • 1015 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There are several similarities and differences of the purpose, tone, and tools between Charlotte Temple and Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography. While Charlotte Temple is fiction and Benjamin Franklin is nonfiction, they both have a purpose to inform. Temple is informing us about the life and struggles of women during this time period and Franklin is informing us about his virtues. Since Temple is fiction, is also has the purpose of entertainment because it is a story. Franklin’s also has an element of persuasion because he expresses his opinion and his virtues very boldly, persuading us why those virtues are so important.…

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The mission statement of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which is the statement, which is used as a way of communicating the purpose of the organization is as follows: Mission Statement To serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee ("Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Mission Statement," 2014). The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security currently doesn’t have an official goals or value statement. Employees of the State of Tennessee are expected to act in a manner that will enhance the name, service and general impression of the State in the eyes of the general public. This Code of Conduct provides general rules of conduct based on fundamental ethical principles.…

    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Fresh from the sting of England’s strict rule colonial America established itself with cries of freedom and liberty. The ‘American dream’ is an often debated term- generally believed to encourage entrepreneurship, tolerance and liberty. While debated, the mark of a country’s intentions can be seen in whom they respect or whom they deem to be important or relevant. Colonial America struggled to adhere to their desire for freedom. What seemed a black and white definition was in actuality only favorable to a select few.…

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Franklin, Wheatley, and Winthrop wrote in very different styles however they seem to have a common message of encouragement. Winthrop and Wheatley seemed to have a religious aspect on their motivations whereas Franklin’s motivation was to be successful. Throughout the Autobiography of Ben Franklin, the poems by Wheatley and the thesis by Winthrop we see inspiration, motivation, determination, and perseverance which is the premise of the American Dream. Phillis Wheatley Wrote poems that I found generally surprising to have come from a slave however, she seems to have been very happy.…

    • 755 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A Mission statement is stating the purpose of an organization and why the establishment exists. It is important the meaning and the clarity of the statement so others can understand your primary existence. It could be harmful to the organization if lack of apprehension of the mission if the public is clueless about what they are conveying (Verma, 2009). The establishment may not understand it at beginning when writing their mission statement, that’s why it is really important to brainstorm, and bring other members in on deciding what the statement should present. A few organization has gone out of business due to an unclear mission statement (Idealist, 2016).…

    • 870 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. He was the first general Postmaster of the United States as well as the first diplomat to France and England and greatly increased America’s relationship with these countries. Both Machiavelli, the Italian politician who wrote The Prince, and Sun Tzu, the Chinese war philosopher who wrote The Art of War, write about what it means to be a good leader. Although, Benjamin Franklin was a great leader he could have still received some advice from Sun Tzu and Machiavelli.…

    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    All the speeches and articles that our class has read are so different in themselves, but have one thing in common. To teach people that they can be involved in their government, and to fight for what is right. They teach us that you can be from any ethnicity, age, or any social class, and still have a voice as powerful as a lion. That is what makes all of these articles and speeches have a great impact on our society and the way American thinks today. Upon further examination, all the articles have one common goal in mind.…

    • 1516 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Benjamin Franklin was one of the most influential and well-respected men of his time. Through his autobiography, he shared the many methods he used to live his life as well as several suggestions for how others should live theirs. One of the most important and still-relevant methods that Franklin put forward was his concept of virtues: thirteen specific traits that, if practiced, would increase that person’s happiness and quality of life. He practiced his own virtues and stated that this helped him to become a better man. Long ago, I discovered his concept of virtues and began to practice them myself, which has significantly affected me as a person in what I believe to be a positive way.…

    • 893 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Benjamin Franklin believed that every person can become more wealthy, healthy, and wise through hard work and self discipline. I believe in his belief because it doesn’t matter how difficult or easy it is to accomplish a goal; at the end of the day, what counts is the satisfaction of the work and experience a person puts into it. Franklin didn’t favor luck or opportunities, but instead became successful through hard work. Franklin was many things such as an author, inventor, scientist, and a printer.…

    • 1180 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Benjamin Franklin was an inventions superstar. He invented many things. Joel Young shows us by saying, “Benjamin Franklin was a big time inventor…. He invented bifocals, the glass armonica, swim fins, the Franklin stove, the lightning rod, electricity, and much more.” Benjamin Franklin was also a write.…

    • 554 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin, Wood explains the life of the Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, and shows how he became one of America’s greatest icons. Also, he gives readers a new understanding of the American Revolution and a profound insight into the emergence of America’s ideas itself (16). Wood also examines the events that caused Franklin’s life and views to change not only himself but American Culture (246). Moreover, individuals today do not know where life will lead them; however, just like Franklin he was never destined to be the symbol of significance as the entrepreneurial American nor was he destined to be an American (x). Therefore, just like Franklin, individuals should never give up nor settle for less in order to achieve their dreams.…

    • 1428 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Benjamin Franklin shared a wise piece of information many years ago when he said, “Think of these things: whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.” Although these words with published in Poor Richard’s Almanac nearly three hundred years ago, they can still resonate with the reader just as much as in 1732. In one sentence, Franklin teaches a great life lesson that is still applicable today. Never forgetting where one came from, keeping an eye on their destination, and considering who they answer to is a crucial part of leading a life of integrity.…

    • 746 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Coach Inc. is a top merchant in purses for both female and male. Coach Inc. began in 1941 in the United States. Coach Inc. is an extremely admired business that is recognized for creating and marketing purses in conjunction with other creations at a cost that is considerably lower than other handbag manufacturers. Certainly, although a purse retailing for $128 may seem to be quite expensive, but it is a bargain when compared to a Dolce and Gabbana purse costing upwards of $1,695. Coach Inc. has prospered by using the strategy of producing products that are “accessible luxury,” attractive to the segment that would usually not purchase high-dollar items and selling them at a reasonable price and maintaining great quality.…

    • 1064 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays