The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
Quickened Spirit of Sacrifice explained
Gandhi reflects on his evolving attitude toward self-sacrifice, recounting how he was persuaded to take out a life insurance policy in Bombay but later regretted it as inconsistent with his growing faith in God and self-reliance.
What happens
Gandhi reflects on his evolving attitude toward self-sacrifice, recounting how he was persuaded to take out a life insurance policy in Bombay but later regretted it as inconsistent with his growing faith in God and self-reliance. He also describes how theosophical influence in Johannesburg deepened his religious sense and led him to introspect on the ideal of brotherhood.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Discipline and Simplicity
Gandhi criticizes his own decision to take out a life insurance policy as a lapse in faith and self-reliance, advocating instead for trust in God and simplicity.
Religion and Interfaith Dialogue
Gandhi engages with theosophical ideas and participates in interfaith discussions, which deepen his religious sense and prompt introspection.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Narrator and central figure; reflects on his past decisions regarding life insurance and his changing spiritual outlook.
- Mr. Ritch
A theosophist who introduced Gandhi to the theosophical society in Johannesburg and engaged him in daily religious discussions.
Key passages
“All men of your status in America have their lives insured. Should you not also insure yourself against the future? Life is uncertain. We in America regard it as a religious obligation to get insured. Can I not tempt you to take out a small policy?”
An American insurance agent argued that insuring one's life was a common and even religious duty for men of Gandhi's standing, urging him to take out a small policy.
Gandhi initially succumbed to this persuasion but later regretted it.
“In getting my life insured I had robbed my wife and children of their self-reliance. Why should they not be expected to take care of themselves? What happened to the families of the numberless poor in the world? Why should I not count myself as one of them?”
Gandhi concluded that buying life insurance undermined his family's self-reliance and that he should trust in God like the countless poor who had no such safety net.
This marks a turning point in Gandhi's commitment to simplicity and faith.