Extravagance Quotes



The actual quote, referring to Gandhi, is from Sarojini Naidu (President of the Indian National Congress), β€œIt costs a lot of money to keep this man in poverty.” She was pointing out the high logistical costs of his austere lifestyle, such as reserving entire third-class train cars for his staff and entourage. Over time, internet memes and quote lists adapted Naidu's observation into a witty first-person statement ("I am a poor man...") and mistakenly credited it to Gandhi himself.


Historically, most of the revolutionary leaders are the sons (and daughters) of upper class and upper middle class parents. They generally have had a good education and are intimately familiar with the foibles of the ruling class.