Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya quotes

Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya was an eminent Indian engineer, scholar, and statesman. His pioneering work in irrigation and flood control systems contributed significantly to India's development. He is celebrated as one of the nation’s greatest engineers and was honored with the Bharat Ratna award. Here are 11 of his quotes:

It is better to work out than rust out. (Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya)
Self-examination not moral or spiritual, but secular - that is, a survey and analysis of local conditions in India and a comparative study of the same with those in other parts of the globe. View quote
Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya
Progress in every country depends mainly on the education of its people. Without education, we are a nation of children. The difference between one man and another, apart from birth and social position, consists in the extent of knowledge, general and practical, acquired by him. We may safely assume that man in all countries within certain limits start with the same degree of intelligence. A civilised nation is distinguished from an uncivilised one by the extent of its acquired intelligence and skill. View quote
Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya
In our warm climate, we have not got the same incentive to exertion and we may never be able to attain the same level of prosperity as Western people. View quote
Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya
Mental energy is wasted in caste disputes and village factions. View quote
Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya
The Indian mind needs to be familarised with the principles of modern progress, a universal impulse for enquiry and enterprise awakened, and earnest thinking and effort promoted. A new type of Indian citizenship purposeful, progressive and self-respecting should be created, and self-reliant nationhood developed. View quote
Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya
If you feel that by giving this title, I will praise your government, you will be disappointed. I am a fact finding man. View quote
Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya
I walked my way to good health. View quote
Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya
In spite of strength of my conviction, I have certain great regard for your fine abilities and love for the country and that shall be unabated whether I have the good fortune to secure your cooperation or face your honest opposition.... I see that we hold perhaps diametrically opposite views. My conviction based upon extensive experiences of village life is that in India at any rate for generations to come, we shall not be able to make much use of mechanical power for solving the problem of the ever growing poverty of the masses. View quote
Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya
As sound as what one might expect from the distinguished engineer who drew them up. He has shown the way to turn dire misfortune into a positive blessing. The proposals are without blemish. I strongly advocate carrying out the scheme. View quote
Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya
The development of this system, the [Block System] is due entirely to the genius of Mr Vishvesharaya, certainly one of the ablest officers, European or Indian, of the Public Works Department, with whom it has been my pleasure and honour to work. (Mokshagundam Visveshvaraya)