This quote implies a profound disappointment in the lack of empathy or understanding often found among educated individuals. The ‘hardness of heart’ refers to an emotional insensitivity or indifference, a lack of compassion or understanding for others. Gandhi is expressing his sadness over the fact that education, which is supposed to enlighten and broaden one’s perspective, often fails to instill these humanistic values. Instead, it sometimes results in arrogance, superiority, and a detachment from the suffering or plight of others.

In essence, Gandhi is underlining the difference between being educated and being wise. Education refers to the accumulation of knowledge, facts, and skills. Wisdom, on the other hand, involves the ability to apply this knowledge in a compassionate, understanding, and ethical manner. It’s about using one’s education to make the world a better place, not just for oneself, but for others too. Sadly, Gandhi observed that many educated people lacked this wisdom, this ‘softness of heart’.

Applying this concept to today’s world, we can observe a similar trend. Many of the world’s problems – such as inequality, climate change, and conflict – are perpetuated, in part, by people who are very educated. Yet, their education does not seem to have equipped them with the empathy or moral responsibility to address these issues in a fair and compassionate manner.

In terms of personal development, this quote serves as a reminder that education should not just be about acquiring knowledge or skills. It should also involve cultivating empathy, compassion, and a sense of social responsibility. We should strive to use our education to understand and alleviate the suffering of others, not just to advance our own personal or professional interests. This is what it means to have a ‘soft heart’ – to care about others and the world around us, not just ourselves.