“Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent than the one derived from fear of punishment.”
Share this quote
Source: Young India, 8 January 1925 (per Gandhi Heritage Portal scans of the original), p.15.
About this quote
Fear buys fast compliance and almost nothing lasting; the instant the threat lifts, so does the effort. Authority rooted in genuine respect and care needs no enforcement, because people give their best willingly. One kind of power rents obedience, the other earns it outright.
When to use it
- A manager whose team stays late out of loyalty rather than dread of a written warning.
- A coach who draws real effort by believing in players instead of threatening to bench them.
- A parent whose kids behave out of respect, not fear of the next punishment.