“I believe in trusting. Trust begets trust. Suspicion is foetid and only stinks. He who trusts has never yet lost in the world.”
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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 Gandhi (appears in 'The Mind of Mahatma Gandhi' and related collections); no dated primary confirmed.
About this quote
Trust works like an opening move that invites the same in return; when you extend it, the other person feels licensed to act well, and the loop reinforces itself. Constant suspicion does the reverse — it signals contempt, sours the air, and pushes people to guard themselves.
When to use it
- A manager who hands a new hire real responsibility on day one usually gets careful, committed work back.
- Parents who let a teenager set her own curfew find she calls the moment plans change.
- A shop owner who runs a tab for regulars rarely gets stiffed and keeps them loyal for years.