The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
Sharp Practice? explained
Gandhi argues a difficult case before the Supreme Court, facing an initial accusation of sharp practice from a judge.
What happens
Gandhi argues a difficult case before the Supreme Court, facing an initial accusation of sharp practice from a judge. He defends himself with composure, explains an accounting error as inadvertent, and ultimately wins the case, reinforcing his belief that law can be practiced without compromising truth.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Gandhi’s physical…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Truth and Self-Experimentation
Gandhi's insistence on truthfulness in legal practice, even when admitting an error that could harm his case, demonstrates his commitment to truth as a core principle.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Argues the case before the Supreme Court, defends himself against the judge's suspicion of sharp practice, and secures a favorable outcome.
Key passages
“Is not this sharp practice, Mr. Gandhi?”
The judge asked Gandhi if his actions weren't a form of unethical legal trickery.
The judge's initial suspicion of Gandhi's motives.
“I boiled within to hear this charge. It was intolerable to be accused of sharp practice when there was not the slightest warrant for it.”
Gandhi felt intense anger at being wrongly accused of dishonesty.
Gandhi's emotional reaction to the accusation.
“I was confirmed in my conviction that it was not impossible to practise law without compromising truth.”
This experience strengthened Gandhi's belief that one can be a truthful lawyer.
Gandhi's reaffirmation of his ethical approach to law.
