Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18: Freedom through Renunciation
Bhagavad Gita 18.8
दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत् ।
स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत् ॥
duḥkhamityeva yatkarma kāyakleśabhayāttyajet | sa kṛtvā rājasaṃ tyāgaṃ naiva tyāgaphalaṃ labhet ||
One who gives up an action only because it is painful, out of fear of bodily hardship, practises relinquishment of passion and gains none of its fruit.
Modern context
Giving up an action simply because it is painful or hard is rajasic relinquishment, and it brings none of the benefit of true letting go. Many people quit things not out of wisdom but because they are uncomfortable. That is avoidance, not renunciation. Real letting go is not running from difficulty but releasing attachment, even while doing what is hard.