“Words like aparigraha (non-possession) and samabhava (equability) gripped me. How to cultivate and preserve that equability was the question. How was one to treat alike insulting, insolent and corrupt officials, co-workers of yesterday raising meaningless opposition, and men who had always been good to one? How was one to divest oneself of all possessions? Was not the body itself possession enough? Were not wife and children possessions? Was I to destroy all the cupboards of books I had? Was I to give up all I had and follow Him? Straight came the answer: I could not follow Him unless I gave up all I had.”
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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, 'An Autobiography / The Story of My Experiments with Truth' (chapter on the Gita's influence and aparigraha/samabhava).
About this quote
Two hard disciplines sit together here: meeting friend and antagonist with the same steady temper, and loosening your grip on what you own. Both ask you to stop letting other people's behavior, or your possessions, set your inner state. Neither comes easily, and honesty about the struggle is the start.
When to use it
- A shop owner offers a rude customer and a loyal one the same even courtesy instead of matching whatever mood walks in.
- Someone downsizing admits the books and gadgets they 'couldn't part with' had quietly been owning them.
- A volunteer keeps the same calm with a hostile critic and a warm supporter, refusing to be jerked around by either.