“Hence, we should not be attached even to a good cause. Only then will our means remain pure and our actions too.”
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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: Attributed to 'The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi' (Gandhi's Gita discourses); plausibly genuine but exact wording not confirmed against a dated primary text.
About this quote
Wanting a good outcome too badly is exactly what tempts people to lie, bully, or cut corners to secure it. Holding the goal loosely keeps you free to act cleanly, because your integrity no longer hinges on whether you win.
When to use it
- A campaigner refuses to spread a useful rumor because winning by deceit isn't worth it.
- A parent lets a teenager make her own choice instead of quietly manipulating the result for her good.
- A salesman drops a high-pressure trick even though it would close the deal.