“Words like aparigraha (non-possession) and samabhava (equability) gripped me. How to cultivate and preserve that equability was the question.”
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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: From An Autobiography; Gandhi on the concepts aparigraha (non-possession) and samabhava (equability).
About this quote
Grasping a principle intellectually is easy; keeping an even keel when life pushes on you is the real work. Steadiness and non-attachment aren't one-time wins but daily practice — the question is always how to hold them when provoked.
When to use it
- Letting go of the urge to upgrade a phone that still works perfectly well.
- Staying calm and clear when a coworker takes public credit for your idea.
- Not letting one bad day derail a routine you've built over months.