The Moral Vision
Disadvantage Turned to Advantage
~ 160 ~
and that he should choose another lawyer for
himself.
But, as Gandhiji writes, this apparent disadvantage
turned to his advantage:
“My hesitancy in speech, which was once an
annoyance, is now a pleasure. Its greatest
benefit has been that it has taught me the
economy of words. I have naturally formed
the habit of restraining my thoughts. And I
can now give myself a certificate that a
thoughtless word hardly ever escaped my
tongue or pen.”
Mahatma Gandhi was well-known for his
thoughtful and economical manner of speech. But
this outstanding trait only came from another trait
which few would consider outstanding. Initially his
shyness prevented him from speaking in public;
later on it made him thoughtful and economical
when he spoke.
