Who said, "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed"?

Introduction / Context:
This quotation based question checks familiarity with famous sayings of important leaders. The statement about Earth providing enough for need but not greed is widely attributed to Mahatma Gandhi and is often quoted in discussions on sustainability, environmental ethics, and economic justice. Such questions help learners link moral ideas to the personalities who promoted them and strengthen memory of key quotations that frequently appear in essays, debates, and interviews.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The exact quotation is: Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed.
• Options include Guru Nanak Dev, Mahatma Gandhi, Pope Paul VI, Indira Gandhi, and None of the above.
• The task is to identify which personality is most reliably associated with this quote.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to recall which leader consistently spoke about simple living, non violence, and restraint in consumption. Mahatma Gandhi emphasised limiting wants, living in harmony with nature, and criticising uncontrolled greed and industrial exploitation. The quote perfectly matches Gandhi's philosophy. While other religious and political leaders also spoke about similar themes, this particular wording is classically tied to Gandhi in textbooks and exam material.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider Guru Nanak Dev. He gave spiritual teachings on equality and devotion, but this exact quote is not generally linked with him in standard references. Step 2: Consider Mahatma Gandhi. His writings and speeches are full of comments on need versus greed, voluntary simplicity, and trusteeship of resources. Step 3: Recognise that this famous line is repeatedly cited as a Gandhian maxim in school books and civil services preparation material. Step 4: Consider Pope Paul VI and Indira Gandhi. They spoke on environment and development, but this exact quote is not commonly attributed to them. Step 5: Therefore, Mahatma Gandhi is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
When unsure, think about which personality is most associated with criticism of unrestrained materialism. Gandhi wrote about the dangers of industrial civilisation in works such as Hind Swaraj and recommended that people take only what they truly need. This matches the meaning of the statement perfectly. In exam guides and quotation collections, this line is always listed under Mahatma Gandhi. Hence, selecting Gandhi is consistent with both philosophical context and standard reference material.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Guru Nanak Dev: A great spiritual teacher and founder of Sikhism, but this specific quotation is not attributed to him in common sources. Pope Paul VI: Spoke on social justice and development, yet the well known wording of this quote is not linked with him. Indira Gandhi: As Prime Minister, she addressed environment and poverty issues, but she is not known for this particular line. None of the above: Incorrect, because Mahatma Gandhi is clearly the recognised source of the quotation.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is overthinking and assuming that the question might be a trick, pushing candidates towards None of the above. Another mistake is confusing modern international statements on environment with Gandhian ideas, which can lead to wrong selections such as Pope Paul VI. To avoid such pitfalls, students should memorise a small list of famous quotes and their speakers, especially those by Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B. R. Ambedkar, and other key figures in Indian history.

Final Answer:
The statement about Earth providing enough for need but not for greed was said by Mahatma Gandhi.