“You will incur no sin by killing your kinsmen’ — this is said repeatedly in the Gita. If a person remains unconcerned with defeat or victory, knowing that they are a part of life, he commits no sin in fighting. But we should also say that he earns no merit. If we seek merit, we shall also incur sin. Even the best thing has an element of evil in it. Nothing in the world is wholly good or wholly evil. Where there is action there is some evil. If a person learns to make no distinction between gain and loss, pleasure and pain, he would rarely be tempted to commit a sin.”
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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: 'The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi'; commentary on action, sin and merit, and detachment from gain and loss.
About this quote
Act fully, but hold the outcome loosely. The idea is that clinging to victory or reward is what drags wrongdoing along with it; treat gain and loss as passing weather and the pull toward cutting corners slackens. No action is spotless, so the aim is equanimity rather than a perfect record.
When to use it
- A salesperson does honest work and stays level whether a deal closes or collapses.
- An athlete competes at full effort but holds win and loss lightly, so pressure doesn't distort her game.
- Someone volunteers without tracking thanks or credit, so a setback never sours the effort.