You must be the change that you wish to see in the world.

Often attributed to Mohandas K. Gandhi, this line encapsulates a Gandhian ethic: social and political transformation begins with personal discipline and moral example. Rather than treating reform as something demanded only of others—governments, opponents, or society at large—the saying urges congruence between one’s ideals and one’s conduct. In that sense it aligns with Gandhi’s emphasis on satyagraha (truth-force) and self-purification: the credibility and power of nonviolent resistance depend on the practitioner’s willingness to embody the values sought (truthfulness, nonviolence, simplicity). Even if the wording is later paraphrase, the sentiment reflects a core principle of his thought.

1) "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
2) "You must be the change you want to see in the world."