“And he who would be friends with God must remain alone, or make the whole world his friend”
Share this quote
Probable attribution
This saying is widely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, but the attribution is not supported by a reliable primary source.
Likely origin: From An Autobiography; 'he who would be friends with God must remain alone, or make the whole world his friend.'
About this quote
Genuine devotion can't run on a small circle of favorites. It pushes you toward one of two honest positions: the solitude of standing with your conscience, or a love wide enough to exclude no one. Anything between is usually tribalism wearing a spiritual face.
When to use it
- A volunteer stops helping only the people who can repay her and starts serving whoever walks in.
- Someone leaves a clique that defined itself by who it kept out, preferring honest solitude.
- A team lead drops his circle of favorites and gives every report the same fair hearing.