A statue of Gandhi at the U.N. in Geneva
Snow falls on a statue of Mahatma Gandhi on a winter morning in the Ariana Parc outside the U.N.'s European headquarters in Geneva, on Feb. 2, 2015. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Mahatma Gandhi was born Oct. 2, 1869, and would have been 146 years old if he were alive today. While India’s preeminent leader was born into a wealthy family in the Gujarat region of western India and would later go on to become a successful lawyer in England and lead the early civil rights movement in South Africa, the most memorable period in his life was the 32-year struggle to gain India's independence.

Gandhi was famed for his nonviolent approach in campaigning throughout South Africa and India, where nearly 70 years after his assassination he remains a source of strength.

For many people, Gandhi lives on through his writing, teachings and sage advice, which he imparted on the world throughout his life.

Here are 10 of Gandhi’s most inspirational quotes:

1. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

2. “Be the change that you want to see in the world.”

3. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.”

4. “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

5. “A 'no' uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'yes' uttered merely to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.”

A picture of Gandhi at a India Day Parade Event in New York
People are shown taking part in the 35th India Day Parade in New York, Aug. 16, 2015. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

6. “An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.”

7. “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

8. “When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.”

9. “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

10. “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”