Online Reporter
Hunt For Greatness
Milton Kamwendo
INDIA’s Mahatma Gandhi was a statesman and nation-builder.
He was a building leader.
He left behind a legacy of wisdom that continues to resonate across cultures and generations.
In his efforts to build, Gandhi cautioned against seven societal sins.
These are: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, science without humanity, knowledge without character, politics without principle, commerce without morality and worship without sacrifice.
These principles are practical steps to building sustainably, with integrity and purpose.
Wealth without work
Gandhi’s admonition against wealth without work warns of the dangers of entitlement and the unearned pursuit of material success.
Building anything worthwhile requires effort, diligence and perseverance.
True wealth is more than a financial result. It also includes the intangible assets of trust, relationships and reputation.
To build effectively, embrace a work ethic that values integrity and effort.
Building is more about farming than gambling. Building must be the fruit of genuine labour. As Proverbs 14:23 states, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
Pleasure without conscience
Pursuing pleasure without a guiding conscience leads to hedonism and self-destruction. Gandhi underlined the importance of enjoying life responsibly. Building a life that matters means ensuring that our actions do not harm others or compromise our values.
Indulging in unchecked pleasure often derails dreams.
Prioritising instant gratification over long-term growth leads to stagnation.
Balancing pleasure with conscience is a challenge to build responsibly, cultivate joy responsibly and ensure our pursuits lean towards building.
Science without humanity
Science and technology have the potential to transform lives. When detached from humanity, they can become destructive. Gandhi’s caution against science without humanity underscores the importance of using knowledge to build for the greater good.
Innovation must be applied ethically.
Without a moral compass, advancements in science and technology are a loaded gun.
Businesses and leaders must ensure that their innovations enhance human dignity and solve real-world problems rather than exacerbate inequalities or destruction.
Knowledge without character
Knowledge is power.
Without character, it becomes a tool for manipulation and exploitation.
Gandhi saw that true education is not just the acquisition of facts. It is the cultivation of virtues such as honesty, humility and empathy. In building, character must anchor knowledge. A skilled professional without integrity can cause more harm than good.
Character is the foundation of all meaningful building. Anything built without character soon crumbles. When builders operate with character, their decisions inspire trust, foster collaboration and ensure long-lasting success.
Politics without principle
Politics, in Gandhi’s view, must be guided by principles rather than personal gain or partisan interests. The absence of principle in leadership leads to corruption, divisiveness and short-sighted policies. Building requires principled leadership that prioritises the common good over personal ambition. Leaders must adhere to values such as fairness, transparency and accountability. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
A principled approach inspires others to follow, creating an environment where sustainable building is possible.
Commerce without morality
Commerce, when divorced from morality, becomes exploitative and unsustainable. Gandhi’s words remind us that businesses must build society rather than exploit it.
Profits should never come at the expense of ethical practices, environmental stewardship or social responsibility. Building with morality at the core ensures long-term success. Customers are increasingly drawn to brands that align with their values.
Employees thrive in environments that prioritise fairness, engagement and integrity.
Worship without sacrifice
True worship, according to Gandhi, requires sacrifice. It is not enough to go through the motions of religious rituals.
Worship must involve a genuine giving of oneself. It will always demand your time, effort or resources. In building, put in the necessary sacrifices to achieve a greater purpose.
Great accomplishments require forgoing immediate comfort for long-term rewards.
Builders must be willing to make personal sacrifices for the good of their vision.
Nothing meaningful is built without sacrifice and effort. Romans 12:1 urges: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Building anything meaningful requires wisdom, effort and an unwavering commitment to values. Gandhi’s seven warnings provide a timeless framework for navigating the complexities of building greatness.
By applying these principles, you can build things that are long-lasting.
In Gandhi’s enduring words, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”Rise and build. Greatness is waiting for your response and diligent action. You are a builder; build to last.
Committed to your greatness.
Milton Kamwendo is a leading international transformational and motivational speaker, author and accomplished workshop facilitator. He is a cutting-edge strategy, team-building and organisation development facilitator and consultant. He can be reached at: [email protected]
