Chanakya's Quotes - Worth Learning
"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first, and honest people are screwed first." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-75 BC)
"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. If you cannot keep a secret with you, do not expect that others will keep it. It will destroy you." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, what the results might be, and will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"Once you start working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"A man is great by deeds, not by birth." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown-up children are your best friends." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats beauty and youth." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
Regards,
RAJ
From India, Madras
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3"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first, and honest people are screwed first." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-75 BC)
"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. If you cannot keep a secret with you, do not expect that others will keep it. It will destroy you." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, what the results might be, and will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"Once you start working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"A man is great by deeds, not by birth." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown-up children are your best friends." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats beauty and youth." - Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist, and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
Regards,
RAJ
From India, Madras
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Hi Dixita,
Here goes some more:
CHAPTER ONE
1. Humbly bowing down before the almighty Lord Sri Vishnu, the Lord of the three worlds, I recite maxims of the science of political ethics (niti) selected from the various satras.
2. That man who, by the study of these maxims from the satras, acquires a knowledge of the most celebrated principles of duty, and understands what ought and what ought not to be followed, and what is good and what is bad, is most excellent.
3. Therefore, with an eye to the public good, I shall speak that which, when understood, will lead to an understanding of things in their proper perspective.
4. Even a pandit comes to grief by giving instruction to a foolish disciple, by maintaining a wicked wife, and by excessive familiarity with the miserable.
5. A wicked wife, a false friend, a saucy servant, and living in a house with a serpent in it are nothing but death.
6. One should save his money against hard times, save his wife at the sacrifice of his riches, but invariably one should save his soul even at the sacrifice of his wife and riches.
7. Save your wealth against future calamity. Do not say, "What fear has a rich man of calamity?" When riches begin to forsake one, even the accumulated stock dwindles away.
8. Do not inhabit a country where you are not respected, cannot earn your livelihood, have no friends, or cannot acquire knowledge.
9. Do not stay for a single day where there are not these five persons: a wealthy man, a brahmana well-versed in Vedic lore, a king, a river, and a physician.
10. Wise men should never go into a country where there are no means of earning one's livelihood, where the people have no dread of anybody, have no sense of shame, no intelligence, or a charitable disposition.
11. Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.
12. He is a true friend who does not forsake us in time of need, misfortune, famine, or war, in a king's court, or at the crematorium (smasana).
13. He who gives up what is imperishable for that which is perishable loses that which is imperishable; and doubtlessly loses that which is perishable also.
14. A wise man should marry a virgin of a respectable family even if she is deformed. He should not marry one of a low-class family, through beauty. Marriage in a family of equal status is preferable.
15. Do not put your trust in rivers, men who carry weapons, beasts with claws or horns, women, and members of a royal family.
16. Even from poison, extract nectar, wash and take back gold if it has fallen in filth, receive the highest knowledge (Krishna consciousness) from a low-born person; so also a girl possessing virtuous qualities (stri-ratna) even if she is born in a disreputable family.
17. Women have hunger two-fold, shyness four-fold, daring six-fold, and lust eight-fold as compared to men.
CHAPTER TWO
1. Untruthfulness, rashness, guile, stupidity, avarice, uncleanliness, and cruelty are women's seven natural flaws.
2. To have the ability for eating when dishes are ready at hand, to be robust and virile in the company of one's religiously wedded wife, and to have a mind for making charity when one is prosperous are the fruits of no ordinary austerities.
3. He whose son is obedient to him, whose wife's conduct is in accordance with his wishes, and who is content with his riches, has his heaven here on earth.
4. They alone are sons who are devoted to their father. He is a father who supports his sons. He is a friend in whom we can confide, and she only is a wife in whose company the husband feels contented and peaceful.
5. Avoid him who talks sweetly before you but tries to ruin you behind your back, for he is like a pitcher of poison with milk on top.
6. Do not put your trust in a bad companion nor even trust an ordinary friend, for if he should get angry with you, he may bring all your secrets to light.
7. Do not reveal what you have thought of doing, but by wise council keep it secret, being determined to carry it into execution.
8. Foolishness is indeed painful, and verily so is youth, but more painful by far than either is being obliged in another person's house.
9. There does not exist a ruby in every mountain, nor a pearl in the head of every elephant; neither are the sadhus to be found everywhere, nor sandal trees in every forest.
10. Wise men should always bring up their sons in various moral ways, for children who have knowledge of niti-sastra and are well-behaved become a glory to their family.
11. Those parents who do not educate their sons are their enemies; for as is a crane among swans, so are ignorant sons in a public assembly.
12. Many a bad habit is developed through overindulgence, and many a good one by chastisement, therefore beat your son as well as your pupil; never indulge them ("Spare the rod and spoil the child").
13. Let not a single day pass without your learning a verse, half a verse, or a fourth of it, or even one letter of it; nor without attending to charity, study and other pious activities.
14. Separation from the wife, disgrace from one's own people, an enemy saved in battle, service to a wicked king, poverty, and a mismanaged assembly: these six kinds of evils, if afflicting a person, burn him even without fire.
15. Trees on a riverbank, a woman in another man's house, and kings without counsellors go without doubt to swift destruction.
16. A Brahmana's strength is in his learning, a king's strength is in his army, a vaishya's strength is in his wealth, and a shudra's strength is in his attitude of service.
17. The prostitute has to forsake a man who has no money, the subject a king that cannot defend him, the birds a tree that bears no fruit, and the guests a house after they have finished their meals.
18. Brahmanas quit their patrons after receiving alms from them, scholars leave their teachers after receiving education from them, and animals desert a forest that has been burnt down.
19. He who befriends a man whose conduct is vicious, whose vision impure, and who is notoriously crooked, is rapidly ruined.
20. Friendship between equals flourishes, service under a king is respectable, it is good to be business-minded in public dealings, and a handsome lady is safe in her own home.
CHAPTER THREE
1. In this world, whose family is there without blemish? Who is free from sickness and grief? Who is forever happy?
2. A man's descent may be discerned by his conduct, his country by his pronunciation of language, his friendship by his warmth and glow, and his capacity to eat by his body.
3. Give your daughter in marriage to a good family, engage your son in learning, see that your enemy comes to grief, and engage your friends in dharma (Krishna consciousness).
4. Of a rascal and a serpent, the serpent is the better of the two, for he strikes only at the time he is destined to kill, while the former strikes at every step.
5. Therefore, kings gather around themselves men of good families, for they never forsake them either at the beginning, the middle, or the end.
6. At the time of the pralaya (universal destruction), the oceans are to exceed their limits and seek to change, but a saintly man never changes.
7. Do not keep company with a fool for as we can see he is a two-legged beast. Like an unseen thorn, he pierces the heart with his sharp words.
8. Though men be endowed with beauty and youth and born in noble families, yet without education they are like the palasa flower, which is void of sweet fragrance.
9. The beauty of a cuckoo is in its notes, that of a woman in her unalloyed devotion to her husband, that of an ugly person in his scholarship, and that of an ascetic in his forgiveness.
10. Give up a member to save a family, a family to save a village, a village to save a country, and the country to save yourself.
11. There is no poverty for the industrious. Sin does not attach itself to the person practicing japa (chanting of the holy names of the Lord). Those who are absorbed in maunam (silent contemplation of the Lord) have no quarrel with others. They are fearless who remain always alert.
12. ...
13. What is too heavy for the strong and what place is too distant for those who put forth effort? What country is foreign to a man of true learning? Who can be inimical to one who speaks pleasingly?
14. As a whole forest becomes fragrant by the existence of a single tree with sweet-smelling blossoms in it, so a family becomes famous by the birth of a virtuous son.
15. As a single withered tree, if set aflame, causes a whole forest to burn, so does a rascal son destroy a whole family.
16. As night looks delightful when the moon shines, so is a family gladdened by even one learned and virtuous son.
17. What is the use of having many sons if they cause grief and vexation?
From India, Bangalore
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Here goes some more:
CHAPTER ONE
1. Humbly bowing down before the almighty Lord Sri Vishnu, the Lord of the three worlds, I recite maxims of the science of political ethics (niti) selected from the various satras.
2. That man who, by the study of these maxims from the satras, acquires a knowledge of the most celebrated principles of duty, and understands what ought and what ought not to be followed, and what is good and what is bad, is most excellent.
3. Therefore, with an eye to the public good, I shall speak that which, when understood, will lead to an understanding of things in their proper perspective.
4. Even a pandit comes to grief by giving instruction to a foolish disciple, by maintaining a wicked wife, and by excessive familiarity with the miserable.
5. A wicked wife, a false friend, a saucy servant, and living in a house with a serpent in it are nothing but death.
6. One should save his money against hard times, save his wife at the sacrifice of his riches, but invariably one should save his soul even at the sacrifice of his wife and riches.
7. Save your wealth against future calamity. Do not say, "What fear has a rich man of calamity?" When riches begin to forsake one, even the accumulated stock dwindles away.
8. Do not inhabit a country where you are not respected, cannot earn your livelihood, have no friends, or cannot acquire knowledge.
9. Do not stay for a single day where there are not these five persons: a wealthy man, a brahmana well-versed in Vedic lore, a king, a river, and a physician.
10. Wise men should never go into a country where there are no means of earning one's livelihood, where the people have no dread of anybody, have no sense of shame, no intelligence, or a charitable disposition.
11. Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.
12. He is a true friend who does not forsake us in time of need, misfortune, famine, or war, in a king's court, or at the crematorium (smasana).
13. He who gives up what is imperishable for that which is perishable loses that which is imperishable; and doubtlessly loses that which is perishable also.
14. A wise man should marry a virgin of a respectable family even if she is deformed. He should not marry one of a low-class family, through beauty. Marriage in a family of equal status is preferable.
15. Do not put your trust in rivers, men who carry weapons, beasts with claws or horns, women, and members of a royal family.
16. Even from poison, extract nectar, wash and take back gold if it has fallen in filth, receive the highest knowledge (Krishna consciousness) from a low-born person; so also a girl possessing virtuous qualities (stri-ratna) even if she is born in a disreputable family.
17. Women have hunger two-fold, shyness four-fold, daring six-fold, and lust eight-fold as compared to men.
CHAPTER TWO
1. Untruthfulness, rashness, guile, stupidity, avarice, uncleanliness, and cruelty are women's seven natural flaws.
2. To have the ability for eating when dishes are ready at hand, to be robust and virile in the company of one's religiously wedded wife, and to have a mind for making charity when one is prosperous are the fruits of no ordinary austerities.
3. He whose son is obedient to him, whose wife's conduct is in accordance with his wishes, and who is content with his riches, has his heaven here on earth.
4. They alone are sons who are devoted to their father. He is a father who supports his sons. He is a friend in whom we can confide, and she only is a wife in whose company the husband feels contented and peaceful.
5. Avoid him who talks sweetly before you but tries to ruin you behind your back, for he is like a pitcher of poison with milk on top.
6. Do not put your trust in a bad companion nor even trust an ordinary friend, for if he should get angry with you, he may bring all your secrets to light.
7. Do not reveal what you have thought of doing, but by wise council keep it secret, being determined to carry it into execution.
8. Foolishness is indeed painful, and verily so is youth, but more painful by far than either is being obliged in another person's house.
9. There does not exist a ruby in every mountain, nor a pearl in the head of every elephant; neither are the sadhus to be found everywhere, nor sandal trees in every forest.
10. Wise men should always bring up their sons in various moral ways, for children who have knowledge of niti-sastra and are well-behaved become a glory to their family.
11. Those parents who do not educate their sons are their enemies; for as is a crane among swans, so are ignorant sons in a public assembly.
12. Many a bad habit is developed through overindulgence, and many a good one by chastisement, therefore beat your son as well as your pupil; never indulge them ("Spare the rod and spoil the child").
13. Let not a single day pass without your learning a verse, half a verse, or a fourth of it, or even one letter of it; nor without attending to charity, study and other pious activities.
14. Separation from the wife, disgrace from one's own people, an enemy saved in battle, service to a wicked king, poverty, and a mismanaged assembly: these six kinds of evils, if afflicting a person, burn him even without fire.
15. Trees on a riverbank, a woman in another man's house, and kings without counsellors go without doubt to swift destruction.
16. A Brahmana's strength is in his learning, a king's strength is in his army, a vaishya's strength is in his wealth, and a shudra's strength is in his attitude of service.
17. The prostitute has to forsake a man who has no money, the subject a king that cannot defend him, the birds a tree that bears no fruit, and the guests a house after they have finished their meals.
18. Brahmanas quit their patrons after receiving alms from them, scholars leave their teachers after receiving education from them, and animals desert a forest that has been burnt down.
19. He who befriends a man whose conduct is vicious, whose vision impure, and who is notoriously crooked, is rapidly ruined.
20. Friendship between equals flourishes, service under a king is respectable, it is good to be business-minded in public dealings, and a handsome lady is safe in her own home.
CHAPTER THREE
1. In this world, whose family is there without blemish? Who is free from sickness and grief? Who is forever happy?
2. A man's descent may be discerned by his conduct, his country by his pronunciation of language, his friendship by his warmth and glow, and his capacity to eat by his body.
3. Give your daughter in marriage to a good family, engage your son in learning, see that your enemy comes to grief, and engage your friends in dharma (Krishna consciousness).
4. Of a rascal and a serpent, the serpent is the better of the two, for he strikes only at the time he is destined to kill, while the former strikes at every step.
5. Therefore, kings gather around themselves men of good families, for they never forsake them either at the beginning, the middle, or the end.
6. At the time of the pralaya (universal destruction), the oceans are to exceed their limits and seek to change, but a saintly man never changes.
7. Do not keep company with a fool for as we can see he is a two-legged beast. Like an unseen thorn, he pierces the heart with his sharp words.
8. Though men be endowed with beauty and youth and born in noble families, yet without education they are like the palasa flower, which is void of sweet fragrance.
9. The beauty of a cuckoo is in its notes, that of a woman in her unalloyed devotion to her husband, that of an ugly person in his scholarship, and that of an ascetic in his forgiveness.
10. Give up a member to save a family, a family to save a village, a village to save a country, and the country to save yourself.
11. There is no poverty for the industrious. Sin does not attach itself to the person practicing japa (chanting of the holy names of the Lord). Those who are absorbed in maunam (silent contemplation of the Lord) have no quarrel with others. They are fearless who remain always alert.
12. ...
13. What is too heavy for the strong and what place is too distant for those who put forth effort? What country is foreign to a man of true learning? Who can be inimical to one who speaks pleasingly?
14. As a whole forest becomes fragrant by the existence of a single tree with sweet-smelling blossoms in it, so a family becomes famous by the birth of a virtuous son.
15. As a single withered tree, if set aflame, causes a whole forest to burn, so does a rascal son destroy a whole family.
16. As night looks delightful when the moon shines, so is a family gladdened by even one learned and virtuous son.
17. What is the use of having many sons if they cause grief and vexation?
From India, Bangalore
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Hi, A very good compilation . Our ancients had the vision to look for those things which will come up in modern world in the form of corporate culture. Madhu
From India, Pune
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From India, Pune
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Hi Raj,
That's really great.
With regards,
Pranath
I want to know one thing. I am working in a company, and after ten months, I got a promotion. This is my second year. Am I eligible for an increment?
Please help me in this regard.
From India, Bangalore
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That's really great.
With regards,
Pranath
I want to know one thing. I am working in a company, and after ten months, I got a promotion. This is my second year. Am I eligible for an increment?
Please help me in this regard.
From India, Bangalore
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its their in chanakya niti book . every body should read it before choosing management field
From India, Pune
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From India, Pune
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The popularly known and reverred Chanakya is also known as Kautilya, the author of Artha?›h?stra, or rather The Arthashastra identifies its author by the name Kautilya. He is also reffered to by the name Vishnugupta. He is known for his wisdom, and his teachings in statesmanship is unparalleled.
For those who don”t know, Chanakya was an Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC 75 BC.
From Sri Lanka
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For those who don”t know, Chanakya was an Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC 75 BC.
From Sri Lanka
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Quotes by Chanakya.ppt