Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3: The Path of Action
Bhagavad Gita 3.33
सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि ।
प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति ॥
sadṛśaṃ ceṣṭate svasyāḥ prakṛterjñānavānapi | prakṛtiṃ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṃ kariṣyati ||
Even a wise person acts according to their own nature. All beings follow their nature. What can repression achieve?
Modern context
Even the wise act according to their nature. What will mere suppression achieve? This is a realistic and kind observation. You cannot make yourself into a different kind of person by force. An active person forced into stillness, or a reflective one into constant bustle, breaks down. Growth works with one's nature and gives it a better direction.