The phrase "Be the change you want to see in the world" is widely attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, but there is no direct evidence that he actually said or wrote these exact words. The closest verified statement from Gandhi is: "If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him… We need not wait to see what others do".
Attribution to Gandhi
- The quote is often credited to Gandhi in numerous books and articles, but researchers have pointed out that it has not been reliably traced to his writings.
- Gandhi did articulate similar ideas about personal transformation impacting the world, and his family is reported to believe he said versions of this phrase often.
Origins and Variations
- The exact phrase appears to have gained popularity through various adaptations over time.
- Early variants and principles with a similar message were published by Arleen Lorrance in the 1970s in connection to "The Love Project".
- The phrase has become famous as a succinct call to action for individual responsibility and social change, regardless of its precise origin.
In summary, while the sentiment matches Gandhi’s teachings, the famous quotation itself is a paraphrase and not a direct quote from him.