A vow is a purely religious act which cannot be taken in a fit of passion. It can be taken only with a mind purified and composed and with God as witness.

It may be long before the law of love will be recognised in international affairs. The machineries of government stand between and hide the hearts of one people from those of another.

The test of friendship is assistance in adversity, and that too, unconditional assistance. Co-operation which needs consideration is a commercial contract and not friendship. Conditional co-operation is like adulterated cement which does not bind.

Insistence on truth can come into play when one party practises untruth or injustice. Only then can love be tested. TRue friendship is put to the test only when one party disregards the obligation of friendship.

As I prepare to go to India i a few days time I have come across a little book I bought on my previous visit to India called "Quotes of Gandhi". I am a great admirerer of Mahatma Gandhi. Like him I believe in non-violence. I like to share some of the quotes of Gandhi with my friends. Let me start with this one:

There are times when you have to obey a call which is the highest of all, i.e. the voice of conscience even though such obedience may cost many a bitter tear, and even more, separation from friends, from family, from the state to which you belong, from all that you have held as dear as life itself. For this obedience is the law of our being.