Liberty is the first condition of growth. Your ancestors gave every liberty to the soul, and religion grew. They put the body under every bondage, and society did not grow. The opposite is the case in the West - every liberty to society, none to religion. Now are falling off the shackles from the feet of Eastern society as from those of Western religion.
Swami VivekanandaWe want to know in order to make ourselves free. That is our life: one universal cry for freedom.
Swami VivekanandaEvery atom is working and resisting every thought in the mind. Everything we see and know is but the resultant of these two forces.
Swami VivekanandaEach nation has a main current in life; in India it is religion. Make it strong and the waters on either side must move along with it. This is one phase of my line of thought. In time, I hope to bring them all out, but at present I find I have a mission in this country also. Moreover, I expect help in this country and from here alone. But up to date I could not do anything except spreading my ideas. Now I want that a similar attempt be made in India.
Swami Vivekananda