“If the vast majority of Muslims regard themselves as a separate nation, having nothing in common with the Hindus and others, no power on earth can compel them to think otherwise. And if they want to partition India on that basis, they must have the partition, unless Hindus want to fight against such a division. So far as I can see, such a preparation is silently going on on behalf of both parties. That way lies suicide. Each party will probably want British or foreign aid. In that case good-bye to independence. I dare not contemplate the actuality. I should not like to be its living witness. I would love to see a joint fight for independence. In the very process of securing independence it is highly likely that we shall have forgotten our quarrels. But if we have not, it will then only be the time to quarrel if we must.”
Share this quote
About this quote
Groups that split along old grievances often end up weaker than either side alone — weak enough that outside powers can step in and dominate both. Working shoulder to shoulder toward a shared goal tends to dissolve the very quarrels that felt unbridgeable, because a common effort quietly rewrites who counts as 'us.'
When to use it
- Two departments feuding over budget unite to save a threatened product line and stop competing internally.
- Siblings arguing over an inheritance drop the fight once they team up to care for an ailing parent.
- Rival neighborhood groups shelve their dispute to jointly block a developer's rezoning plan.