Published in The Modern Review, Volume 38, Number 6, December 1925. In this essay, Tagore critically examines the emphasis on the spinning wheel (charka) as a means to achieve Swaraj (self-rule), arguing instead for a broader, more comprehensive approach to national development through constructive village work and true self-determination. Text sourced from Wikisource.
"Our wise men have warned us, in solemn accents of Sanskrit, to talk away as much as we like, but never to write it down. There are proofs, many of them, that I have habitually disregarded this sage advice, following it only when called upon to reply."
Published in The Modern Review, Volume 38, Number 3, September 1925. Tagore critiques the emphasis on spinning wheels as the primary path to Indian independence, advocating instead for comprehensive economic cooperation and intellectual development.
"Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray has marked me with his censure in printer's ink, for that I have been unable to display enthusiasm in the turning of the Charka. But, because it is impossible for him to be pitiless to me even when awarding punishment, he has provided me with a companion in my ignominy in the illustrious person of Acharya Brajendra Nath Seal."
Published in The Modern Review, Volume 30, Number 5, November 1921. A profound essay examining the relationship between East and West, arguing that both material science and spiritual wisdom must unite for humanity's progress. Tagore critiques both Western materialism and Eastern rejection of scientific progress, calling for a synthesis of cultures based on universal truth. Text sourced from Wikisource.
"It cannot but be admitted that this is a day of victory for the people of the West. The world is theirs to draw upon as they please and their stores are overflowing. We are left standing at a distance, agape, watching our share growing less and less; and with the fire of our hunger blazes the fire of our wrath."
Published in The Modern Review, Volume 29, Number 6, June 1921. Originally written in 1909-10, this essay examines India's continuous historical synthesis of different cultures and peoples, arguing that the British presence is part of this ongoing process of creating a 'Greater India' that belongs to all humanity. Text sourced from Wikisource.
"The History of India,— of whom is it the History? This history began with the day when the white-skinned Aryans, overcoming all obstacles, natural as well as human, made their entry into India. And yet they could not say that this India was exclusively their India."
Published in The Modern Review, Volume 29, Number 5, May 1921. Originally written in 1905-6, this essay argues that Indians should focus on constructive self-help and building their own institutions rather than petitioning the British government for political concessions. Text sourced from Wikisource.
"The river may think that it divides a country, but it really brings one part nearer another by carrying commerce and keeping open a permanent way. In a disunited country foreign domination is just such a unifying agency, and it is as the instrument of divine providence for this purpose that British Rule in India has been touched with glory."
Published in The Modern Review, Volume 29, Number 4, April 1921. Written in the aftermath of World War I, Tagore critiques the League of Nations approach to peace, arguing that true peace can only come through spiritual unity and love rather than political arrangements based on power. Text sourced from Wikisource.
"The world is crying for peace. The West is desiring the restoration of peace through a League of Powers. But can Powers find their equilibrium in themselves? Power cannot be made secure only against power, it must also be made secure against the weak, for there lies the peril of its losing balance."
Published in The Modern Review, Volume 29, Number 4, April 1921. Tagore distinguishes between traditional community organization (Samaj) and government power (Sarkar), arguing that Indians must develop both civil society and political capabilities to achieve true independence. Text sourced from Wikisource.
"We must clearly understand that in the present age it is not Samaj alone that guides the destiny of people, it is the Sarkar, the government. And if we remain content only to worship the Samaj, if we are afraid to handle the Sarkar, then the outcome will be that others will handle our Sarkar for us, and in their use it will become an instrument of torture for the Samaj."
Published in The Modern Review, Volume 21, Number 6, June 1917. Written during World War I, this essay examines Japan's rapid modernization and warns against abandoning Eastern spiritual values in favor of Western materialism and aggressive nationalism.
"One morning the whole world looked up in surprise, when Japan broke through her walls of old habits in a night and came out triumphant. It was done in such an incredibly short time, that it seemed like a change of dress and not like the slow building up of a new structure."
Published in The Modern Review, Volume 11, Number 3, March 1912. Translated from Bengali by Jadunath Sarkar. Tagore explores the unique character of India's great epics and their role as the eternal history of Indian civilization, contrasting them with individual poetic works.
"Generally speaking poetry may be divided into two classes: some of them are the individual utterances of their authors, others breathe the voice of a large community. The Muse of a whole country or race speaks through them."
Published posthumously in The Atlantic Monthly, June 1862
"I wish to speak a word for Nature, for absolute freedom and wildness, as contrasted with a freedom and culture merely civil. In Wildness is the preservation of the World."