32.3 Nonviolence

 32.3 Nonviolence

Question:

Is there an example of doing good for evil? 

Answer:

It is a lofty notion to do good to those who have done evil to us. An incident in Gandhiji's life is an excellent example of doing good for evil. During Gandhiji's struggle for the rights of South African Indians, General Smuts was in power in South Africa. He imprisoned Gandhiji several times. While in prison, Gandhiji made a pair of sandals with his own hands for General Smuts. Before Gandhiji left South Africa, he presented the pair of sandals to General Smuts. A few years later, General Smuts returned the pair of sandals to Gandhiji. He also sent a letter along with the pair of sandals. The letter said, "I used the pair of sandals you gave me for a few years. The thought that I was not qualified to wear them always haunted me. So, I am sending them back to you. " The pair of sandals returned by General Smuts is now in the Gandhi Museum in Mumbai. Like Gandhiji, not everyone can do good to those who have done evil. But the lesson we must learn is that it should be our goal to do so.