"The first thing to bear in mind is that Arjuna falls into the error of making a distinction between kinsmen and outsiders. Outsiders may be killed even if they are not oppressors, and kinsmen may not be killed even if they are." - Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi

Ethics Justice Integrity

“The first thing to bear in mind is that Arjuna falls into the error of making a distinction between kinsmen and outsiders. Outsiders may be killed even if they are not oppressors, and kinsmen may not be killed even if they are.”

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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: Gandhi's commentary in 'The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi' (Anasaktiyoga); his own exegesis of Arjuna's dilemma; text truncated ('The').

About this quote

The mistake is letting closeness decide right and wrong — shielding your own no matter what they've done, condemning outsiders no matter whether they've wronged anyone. A fair judgment sets the relationship aside and asks only what the person actually did.

When to use it

A manager finally disciplines the friend he'd been shielding, applying the same rule he'd enforce on anyone.
A referee calls the foul against the home team exactly as he would against the visitors.
A father admits his own son started the fight after weeks of blaming the neighbor's kid.