Gandhi, Nehru suggested, pursued his ethical goals by means that often put him in a condition of ‘inner conflict’—between his immediate political goals as a national leader and his stature as a man with a visionary message for the whole world. Gandhi could appear rock-like and immoveable in his assertion of moral positions and ethical choices. But Gandhi also had a non-dogmatic capacity to adapt: he was willing to put up with the ‘lesser evil, and hoped that his teaching would gradually sink into the mind of India.’ He would by such compromises draw the masses into following him. Once secure
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