Mahatma Gandhi was very shy by nature. In his
book, “My Experiments with Truth”, he confesses
that it was a long time before he managed to shake
off his shyness. While studying in London, he
joined a vegetarian society. At one of its meetings
he was asked to make a speech. He stood up, but
was unable to express himself. Finally he brought
himself to voice a few words of thanks and sat
down. On another occasion, when he was invited to
express his ideas on vegetarian food, he set his
thoughts down on paper, but was not even able to
read out what he himself has written. Someone,
however, taking pity on him, read his discourse for
him.
After passing his examination in law from London,
he started his practice in Bombay. Here again his
shyness was a stumbling block. When he appeared
before the judge in his first case, he was so nervous
that he could not say anything. He had to tell his
client that he would not be able to pursue his case,
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.
Ref - The Moral Vision
- by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
