DISADVANTAGE TURNED TO ADVANTAGE

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.