The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
Some Reminiscences of the Bar explained
Gandhi reflects on his legal practice in South Africa, emphasizing his commitment to truth and integrity.
What happens
Gandhi reflects on his legal practice in South Africa, emphasizing his commitment to truth and integrity. He recounts a specific case where he insisted on admitting a clerical error in an arbitration award, despite opposition from his senior counsel and potential risk to his client, ultimately gaining his client's support to proceed honestly.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Self-Experimentation
Gandhi recounts his unwavering commitment to truth in legal practice, refusing to lie or conceal errors even at the risk of losing a case.
Service and Community Leadership
Gandhi notes that much of his legal work was for public interest, charging only out-of-pocket expenses.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Narrator and central figure, reflecting on his legal practice and adherence to truth.
Key passages
“I never resorted to untruth in my profession, and that a large part of my legal practice was in the interest of public work, for which I charged nothing beyond out-of-pocket expenses, and these too I sometimes met myself.”
Gandhi states he never lied as a lawyer and often worked for public causes without charging fees beyond expenses, which he sometimes paid himself.
Highlights his ethical approach to law and public service.
“I warned every new client at the outset that he should not expect me to take up a false case or to coach the witnesses, with the result that I built up such a reputation that no false cases used to come to me.”
Gandhi told clients he would not handle dishonest cases or coach witnesses, which led to a reputation that deterred false cases.
Illustrates how his honesty shaped his legal practice.