Chanakya Quotes (147) Spiritual Sayings
About the Author: Chanakya (c. 370–283 BCE) was an Indian teacher, philosopher and royal advisor. Originally a professor of economics and political science at the ancient Takshashila University, Chanakya managed the first Maurya emperor Chandragupta's rise to power at a young age. He is widely credited for having played an important role in the establishment of the Maurya Empire, which was the first empire in archaeologically recorded history to rule most of the Indian subcontinent. Chanakya served as the chief advisor to both Chandragupta and his son Bindusara. Chanakya is traditionally identified as Kautilya or Vishnu Gupta, who authored the ancient Indian political treatise called Arthaśāstra. As such, he is considered as the pioneer of the field of economics and political science in India, and his work is thought of as an important precursor to Classical Economics. Chanakya is often called the "Indian Machiavelli", although his works predate Machiavelli's by about 1,800 years. His works were lost near the end of the Gupta dynasty and not rediscovered until 1915.
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"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
"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest
people are screwed first."
― Chanakya
"A man is born alone and dies alone; and he experiences the good and bad
consequences of his karma alone; and he goes alone to hell or the Supreme
abode."
― Chanakya
"A man is great by deeds, not by birth."
― Chanakya
"Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere.
Education beats the beauty and the youth."
― Chanakya
"Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such
friendships will never give you any happiness."
― Chanakya
"He who is overly attached to his family members experiences fear and sorrow,
for the root of all grief is attachment. Thus one should discard attachment
to be happy."
― Chanakya
"The biggest guru-mantra is: never share your secrets with anybody. It will
destroy you."
― Chanakya
"The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman."
― Chanakya
"Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind
person."
― Chanakya
"God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your
temple."
― Chanakya
"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship
without self-interests. This is a bitter truth."
― Chanakya
"Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty,
a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune."
― Chanakya
"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
"Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't
abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest."
― Chanakya
"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the
goodness of a person spreads in all direction."
― Chanakya
"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it."
― Chanakya
"There is no austerity equal to a balanced mind, and there is no happiness
equal to contentment; there is no disease like covetousness, and no virtue
like mercy."
― Chanakya
"He who lives in our mind is near though he may actually be far away; but he
who is not in our heart is far though he may really be nearby."
― Chanakya
"The serpent, the king, the tiger, the stinging wasp, the small child, the
dog owned by other people, and the fool: these seven ought not to be
awakened from sleep."
― Chanakya
"O wise man! Give your wealth only to the worthy and never to others. The
water of the sea received by the clouds is always sweet."
― Chanakya
"The life of an uneducated man is as useless as the tail of a dog which
neither covers its rear end, nor protects it from the bites of insects."
― Chanakya
"Do not be very upright in your dealings for you would see by going to the
forest that straight trees are cut down while crooked ones are left
standing."
― Chanakya
"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous."
― Chanakya
"The earth is supported by the power of truth; it is the power of truth that
makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth."
― Chanakya
"We should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxious about the
future; men of discernment deal only with the present moment."
― Chanakya
"Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it
secret being determined to carry it into execution."
― Chanakya
"As a single withered tree, if set aflame, causes a whole forest to burn, so
does a rascal son destroy a whole family."
― Chanakya
"The happiness and peace attained by those satisfied by the nectar of
spiritual tranquillity is not attained by greedy persons restlessly moving
here and there."
― Chanakya
"It is better to die than to preserve this life by incurring disgrace. The
loss of life causes but a moment's grief, but disgrace brings grief every
day of one's life."
― Chanakya
"As long as your body is healthy and under control and death is distant, try
to save your soul; when death is immanent what can you do?"
― Chanakya
"The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a
man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous
effort."
― Chanakya
"Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and of a compassionate heart
are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform."
― Chanakya
"There is poison in the fang of the serpent, in the mouth of the fly and in
the sting of a scorpion; but the wicked man is saturated with it."
― Chanakya
"One whose knowledge is confined to books and whose wealth is in the
possession of others, can use neither his knowledge nor wealth when the need
for them arises."
― Chanakya
"The wise man should restrain his senses like the crane and accomplish his
purpose with due knowledge of his place, time and ability."
― Chanakya
"If one has a good disposition, what other virtue is needed? If a man has
fame, what is the value of other ornamentation?"
― Chanakya
Don't judge the future of a person based on his present conditions, becausetime has the power to change black coal to shiny diamond.
― Chanakya
A man is great by deeds, not by birth.
― Chanakya
A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first.
― Chanakya
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.
― Chanakya
One who is in search of knowledge should give up the search of pleasure and the one who is in search of pleasure should give up the search of knowledge.
― Chanakya
God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple.
― Chanakya
A man attains greatness by his merits, not simply by occupying an exalted seat. Can we call a crow an eagle (garuda) simply because he sits on the top of a tall building.
― Chanakya
We should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxious about the future; men of discernment deal only with the present moment.
― Chanakya
Knowledge is lost without putting it into practice; a man is lost due to ignorance; an army is lost without a commander; and a woman is lost without a husband.
― Chanakya
A person becomes great not by sitting on some high seat, but through higher qualities. A crow does not become an eagle by simply sitting on the top of a palatial building.
― Chanakya
Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.
― Chanakya
There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.
― Chanakya
They (low-minded) ones should never be trusted.
― Chanakya
The low minded are fond of deception the nature of low-minded people never changes.
― Chanakya
The man who is praised by others is regarded as worthy though he may be really void of all merit. But the man who sings his own praises becomes disgraced though he should be Indra, the possessor of all excellencies.
― Chanakya
The foolish wish to speak out what was spoken in secret by the master.
― Chanakya
A thing may be dreaded as long as it has not overtaken you.
― Chanakya
Skills are called hidden treasure as they save like a mother in a foreign country.
― Chanakya
What good is a cow that neither gives milk nor conceives? Similarly, what is the value of the birth of a son if he becomes neither learned nor a pure devotee of the Lord?
― Chanakya
Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.
― Chanakya
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
Svanaja includes in itself the whole subject, officials and ministers. If there is something wrong in the conduct of these people, it would be damaging the state. An administrator should strictly deal with it.
― Chanakya
Prosperity last long for one who acts after proper consideration.
― Chanakya
The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.
― Chanakya
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.
― Chanakya
Whoever imposes severe punishment becomes repulsive to the people; while he who awards mild punishment becomes contemptible. But whoever imposes punishment as deserved becomes respectable. For punishment when awarded with due consideration, makes the people devoted to righteousness and to works productive of wealth and enjoyment; while punishment, when ill-awarded under the influence of greed and anger or owing to ignorance, excites fury even among hermits and ascetics dwelling in forests, not to speak of householders.
― Chanakya
As long as your body is healthy and under control and death is distant, try to save your soul; when death is immanent what can you do?
― Chanakya
Union in privacy (with one's wife); boldness; storing away useful items; watchfulness; and not easily trusting others; these five things are to be learned from a crow.
― Chanakya
Love is indicated by deeds (and not by words)
― Chanakya
Offspring, friends and relatives flee from a devotee of the Lord: yet those who follow him bring merit to their families through their devotion.
― Chanakya
The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort.
― Chanakya
This world is a bitter tree, it has only two sweet nectar like fruits - one is soft voice and the other is company of gentlemen.
― Chanakya
The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction.
― Chanakya
Poverty, disease, sorrow, imprisonment and other evils are the fruits borne by the tree of one's own sins.
― Chanakya
He who has wealth has friends and relations; he alone survives and is respected as a man.
― Chanakya
Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.
― Chanakya
Religion is preserved by wealth; knowledge by diligent practice; a king by conciliatory words; and a home by a dutiful housewife.
― Chanakya
The learned are envied by the foolish; rich men by the poor; chaste women by adulteresses; and beautiful ladies by ugly ones.
― Chanakya
Enemies strike at weak points.
― Chanakya
There are three gems upon this earth; food, water, and pleasing words - fools (mudhas) consider pieces of rocks as gems.
― Chanakya
Sinfully acquired wealth may remain for ten years; in the eleventh year it disappears with even the original stock.
― Chanakya
As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.
― Chanakya
Rain which falls upon the sea is useless; so is food for one who is satiated; in vain is a gift for one who is wealthy; and a burning lamp during the daytime is useless.
― Chanakya
When one is consumed by the sorrows of life, three things give him relief: offspring, a wife, and the company of the Lord's devotees.
― Chanakya
A friend, even if he be the enemy's son , should be protected.
― Chanakya
It is better to live under a tree in a jungle inhabited by tigers and elephants, to maintain oneself in such a place with ripe fruits and spring water, to lie down on grass and to wear the ragged barks of trees than to live amongst one's relations when reduced to poverty.
― Chanakya
He who gives up shyness in monetary dealings, in acquiring knowledge, in eating and in business, becomes happy.
― Chanakya
Those parents who do not educate their sons are their enemies; for as is a crane among swans, so are ignorant so are ignorant sons in a public assembly.
― Chanakya
Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained; but this body when lost may never be acquired again.
― Chanakya
One's weakness should not ever be revealed.
― Chanakya
Time perfects all living beings as well as kills them; it alone is awake when all others are asleep. Time is insurmountable.
― Chanakya
Time perfects men as well as destroys them.
― Chanakya
Learning is a friend on the journey; a wife in the house; medicine in sickness; and religious merit is the only friend after death.
― Chanakya
Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.
― Chanakya
He who has wealth has friends.
― Chanakya
The cuckoos remain silent for a long time (for several seasons) until they are able to sing sweetly (in the Spring) so as to give joy to all.
― Chanakya
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.
― Chanakya
For good days one should save money, women should be protected even if it takes the money saved. But for self preservation the money and the women should be sacrificed!!
― Chanakya
The earth is supported by the power of truth; it is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth.
― Chanakya
Your feelings are your god.
― Chanakya
Who realises all the happiness he desires? Everything is in the hands of God. Therefore one should learn contentment.
― Chanakya
The poor wish for wealth; animals for the faculty of speech; men wish for heaven; and godly persons for liberation.
― Chanakya
A permanent relationship is dependent on particular purpose or wealth.
― Chanakya
The forest fire burns even tree like sandalwood.
― Chanakya
The house of a childless person is a void, all directions are void to one who has no relatives, the heart of a fool is also void, but to a poverty stricken man all is void.
― Chanakya
Do not be very upright in your dealings for you would see by going to the forest that straight trees are cut down while crooked ones are left standing.
― Chanakya
All types of riches should be amassed by all means.
― Chanakya
In trans-border relations, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies or even permanent borders. There are only permanent interests and everything should be done to secure these interests.
― Chanakya
That man who is without religion and mercy should be rejected. A guru without spiritual knowledge should be rejected. The wife with an offensive face should be given up, and so should relatives who are without affection.
― Chanakya
Education beats the beauty and the youth.
― Chanakya
A father who is a chronic debtor, an adulterous mother, a beautiful wife, and an unlearned son are enemies in one's own home.
― Chanakya
Defect in one's limb ruins a man.
― Chanakya
A wicked wife, a false friend, a saucy servant and living in a house with a serpent in it are nothing but death.
― Chanakya
The fire of the forest burns trees to ashes. Even expensive sandalwood tree which is endowed with qualities of cooling and fragrance, cannot escape from burning. In the same way wicked cause harm to their benefactors also.
― Chanakya
Considersing the forebearance of a person, Do not harass him.
― Chanakya
There is no disease so destructive as lust.
― Chanakya
Evil person causes harm even if treated will.
― Chanakya
As a single withered tree, if set aflame, causes a whole forest to burn, so does a rascal son destroy a whole family.
― Chanakya
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.
― Chanakya
A debt should be paid off till the last penny; An enemy should be destroyed without a trace
― Chanakya
She is a true wife who is clean (suci), expert, chaste, pleasing to the husband, and truthful.
― Chanakya
What vice could be worse than covetousness? What is more sinful than slander? For one who is truthful, what need is there for austerity? For one who has a clean heart, what is the need for pilgrimage?.
― Chanakya
We should always speak what would please the man of whom we expect a favour,like the hunter who sings sweetly when he desires to shoot a deer.
― Chanakya
The man who remains a fool even in advanced age is really a fool, just as the Indra-Varuna fruit does not become sweet no matter how ripe it might become.
― Chanakya
Although an ass is tired, he continues to carry his burden; he is unmindful of cold and heat; and he is always contented; these three things should be learned from the ass.
― Chanakya
A single son endowed with good qualities is far better than a hundred devoid of them.
― Chanakya
Do not pass between two brahmanas, between a brahmana and his sacrificial fire, between a wife and her husband, a master and his servant, and a plough and an ox.
― Chanakya
The happiness and peace attained by those satisfied by the nectar of spiritual tranquillity is not attained by greedy persons restlessly moving here and there.
― Chanakya
If people of one''s own side have good conduct, it adds power to oneself. The misconduct on the contrary render one powerless. The enemy taks advantage of it. A skilled statesman never allows enemy to win over.
― Chanakya
For the moon though one, dispels the darkness, which the stars, though numerous, do not.
― Chanakya
Good behavior wins even an enemy.
― Chanakya
The Goddess of wealth is unsteady, and so is the life breath. The duration of life is uncertain, and the place of habitation is uncertain; but in all this inconsistent world religious merit alone is immovable.
― Chanakya
Trees on a riverbank, a woman in another man's house, and kings without counselors go without doubt to swift destruction.
― Chanakya
People's Fury is above all the furies.
― Chanakya
The disgrace of one's people brings sorrow to the Nobel minded.
― Chanakya
No amount of advice change his attitude. He does not listed to good advice. Rather he gets angry.
― Chanakya
No one should ever be disrespected.
― Chanakya
This sutra enjoins a rule of morality. It says nobody should be disrespected. A man can impress evdrybnody by his virtues. Disrespecting others means downfall of our own virtues. A person who disrespects others, in a way disrespect himself. A virtuous man does not disrespect his friend or vevn his enemy. Disrespect to enemy can investigate him toreact. The best thing is to destroy him completely. For a ruler this is very important.
― Chanakya
One who is to be pardoned should not be harassed.
― Chanakya
Chankaya is referring there to the probibition of entry of the untrustworthy in the counsel-room. Disloyal persons foolishly speak out the secrets of the counsel not knowing the harmful effects of the same. Disclosing the secrets of the counsel mars the welfare of the country.
― Chanakya
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