This quote speaks to the concept of inner wisdom and moral compass, suggesting that when faced with a conflict of duty or ethical dilemma, one should ultimately listen to their own internal voice. The ‘still small voice within you’ is a metaphor for your conscience or intuition. It’s the part of you that knows right from wrong and understands your personal values and principles.
The word ‘arbiter’ implies final judgment or decision-making authority. So essentially, Gandhi is saying that in situations where one is torn between two duties or obligations, it’s this internal voice that should have the final say. This could mean prioritizing personal beliefs over societal expectations, or making decisions based on what feels right within oneself rather than what others might think.
In today’s world, we are often faced with conflicting duties and pressures from various sources – work demands versus family time; individual desires versus societal norms; short-term gains versus long-term sustainability etc. In such scenarios, this quote encourages us to stay true to ourselves by listening closely to our inner voices and allowing them to guide our actions.
In terms of personal development, embracing this idea can lead to increased self-awareness and authenticity. By regularly tuning inwards and listening carefully to our inner voices – whether through meditation, journaling or simply quiet reflection – we can become more attuned to our true selves. This can help us make decisions that align better with who we are at core level rather than being swayed by external influences.
However it’s also important not be overly self-reliant but seek advice when needed because sometimes another perspective can enlighten us about aspects we may overlook due its blind spot nature in introspection.
Overall though it emphasizes on courage of conviction even if it means going against popular opinion because at end day only you are answerable for your actions hence why ‘the still small voice within’ must always be ‘the final arbiter’.
