“a mother explains a point to her children over and over again in different words.”
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Probable attribution
This saying is widely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, but the attribution is not supported by a reliable primary source.
Likely origin: From 'The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi'; a simile fragment about a mother repeating a point to her children in different words.
About this quote
Understanding rarely lands on the first pass. Real teaching means saying the same thing several ways, watching which version finally clicks, and staying patient instead of blaming the listener for not grasping it right away.
When to use it
- A tutor who re-explains fractions with pizza slices after the textbook fails.
- A manager who rephrases a goal three different ways until the team truly gets it.
- A parent repeating a safety rule in fresh words until the toddler remembers it.