Chanakya Quotes

A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first.

Battles are won and lost before they are fought.

To remain standing one often has to fall.

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

As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.

Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.

In order to become the master, a ruler must profess to be a servant of the people.

Journey IS the destination.

If a man tells a woman she is beautiful, she will overlook most of his OTHER lies.

The early bird catches the worm but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese.

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.

Everything is going to be right at the end. If it's not right, then it is not the end.

The lesson for today, dear Rakshas , is between two evils you should pick the one that you haven't yet tried.

when a man steals your wife, there's no better revenge than to let him keep her.

Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.

It is impossible to know when a fish swimming in water drinks some of it. Thus it's quite impossible to find out when government servants in charge of undertakings misappropriate money.

Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from indomitable will.

A man is great by deeds, not by birth. – Chanakya

When lions fight over a goat, it's usually the hyena that gets away with the prize.

The life of an uneducated man is as useless as the tail of a dog which neither covers it’s rear end, nor protects it from the bites of insects.

Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness.

Remember that it’s often easier to get forgiveness rather than permission!

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.

Character is what you are. Reputation is what people think you are.

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.

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.

Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere.

There is no enemy like infatuation and fire like wrath.

If one has a good disposition, what other virtue is needed? If a man has fame, what is the value of other ornamentation?

God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple.

Either Scholarship or Death will be my refuge. पाण्डित्यं शरणं वा मे मृत्युर्वा॥

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.

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.

Wise men think all they say, fools say all they think.

There are three types of people in this world. The first type learns by making mistakes; the second type keeps making mistakes but never learns; and finally, the third is the most intelligent type – they learn from the mistakes of others.

When a leader was once asked how to develop the skill of quick decision-making, he answered, “Be around people who are not afraid of making mistakes.

A good wife is one who serves her husband in the morning like a mother does, loves him in the day like a sister does and pleases him like a prostitute in the night.

Think solutions — is the mantra for success.

A free society is one where it’s safe to be unpopular, but then, freedom of speech also carries with it the freedom not to listen!

sometimes a majority only means that all the fools are on the same side.

Remember that it’s often easier to get forgiveness rather than permission!’ said Chanakya, a wide grin on his ugly face.

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.

Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead,

Never interrupt the enemy while he's in the process of making mistake

One does not need to pluck fruit from a tree that is about to be chopped down. The fruit will fall by themselves. Focus on the bigger purpose and the rest of your manifesto will follow as a matter of course.

Who strive not for objects unattainable, grieve not for what lost and gone be, Who suffer not mind clouded amid mishap, have intellect with wisdom truly. [26] - 33 Mahatma Vidur

As Swami Chinmayananda said, “The youth are not useless — they are used less. The youth are not careless — they are cared for less.

The only way to keep yourself productive is by having at least a month's work in front of you.

The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.

Wealth that takes longer to create stays for a longer period.

જે વ્યક્તિ લેણદેણમાં, વિઘા કે હુન્નર શીખવામાં, ભોજન સમયે અને વ્યવહારમાં શરમ-સંકોચ છોડી સ્પષ્ટ વાત કરે છે તે સુખી થાય છે.

Worrying is like a rocking chair, it moves but does not go ahead. There is action but no progress.

बुद्धिमान व्यक्ति के लिए आवश्यक है कि वह अपने शत्रु पक्ष को सदा किसी-न-किसी कष्ट में उलझाए रखे। इससे वे कभी भी उसके लिए मुसीबत या संकट उत्पन्न नहीं कर पाएँगे।

The lesson for today, dear Rakshas , is between two evils you should pick the one that you haven't yet tried

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. We all start on a journey, but only a few adapt to the changes and overcome problems.

It’s foolish to call Chanakya an Indian Machiavelli. Rather, Machiavelli was possibly an Italian Chanakya.

The learned has grieve by instructing foolish disciple surely, As a wicked wife or with the wretched having familiarity. [4] 1.4 Chanakya

A wicked wife, a false friend, a saucy servant begets misery, As living in a house with a serpent in it begets death surely. [5] 1.5 Chanakya

Save money for adversity, wife against riches undoubtedly, But save the soul even against wife and riches invariably. [6] 1.6 Chanakya

Save wealth but never assume it removes all calamity, When riches forsake, amassed stock dwindles rapidly. [7] 1.7 Chanakya

Where you are not respected inhabit not that country, You can not earn, have friends and get knowledge truly. [8] 1.8 Chanakya

according to Chanakya, being dependent on someone is most painful. Such a person can be compared to an animal. He has to act on someone elses orders. So, man should live life with strength.

Who understands quickly, pursues objects with judgment, listens patiently, Wastes not breathe on others affairs; possess foremost mark of wisdom truly. [25] - 33 Mahatma Vidur

What should a man strive for? Kama—love, dharma—duty, artha—wealth, and moksha—salvation.

There is no such thing as public opinion. There is only published opinion.

One must attempt with feeling of total devotion to get success in any venture.

If a snake isn’t poisonous, all the more reason that it should pretend to be so,

a battle is never about who’s right. It’s mostly about who’s left!

a clear conscience is usually a sign of bad memory.

A man who opens his mouth too often may end up meeting a tragic end, either from indigestion or execution!

Winning is not only about strengthening yourself; it’s also about weakening the enemy.

It is impossible to know when and how much water a fish drank, similar is the act of stealing government money by officials.

politics is war without bloodshed and war is simply politics with bloodshed.

whose mind is not steady doesn’t get happiness either amongst the people or in the loneliness of the jungle. When lonely he longs for company and when in company he yearns for loneliness.

Lack of knowledge and skills, laziness, gluttony, over-indulgence, lustiness, anger, fear, greed and misuse of knowledge, power and designation are the sources of corruption in the government employees.

No penance is greater than the one done for maintaining peace, no happiness is better than the one received from satisfaction, no disease is more damaging than greed and no Dharma is better than the one having compassion for all.

Remember that when you finally get your dream job or project, it is not enough. In fact, it's just the beginning. Then you must deliver what you have promised. Show your capability, not just by words but by result-oriented actions too. And learn to work with others, for that's the secret for succeeding in any project.

Devotion in faith, sweetness in voice, alacrity in alms-giving, guilelessness in relation with friends, humility for the Guru, depth in character; piety in behaviour, regard for merit, erudition in scriptural knowledge, beauty in appearance and belief in Lord Shiva (or in the welfare of all) are, O Raghav (Lord Rama), your attributes!

Whose judgment dissociated from desire follows both virtue and gain only, Who ignores pleasure, chooses ends serviceable in both worlds - wise be. [23] - 33 Mahatma Vidur

I would like to remind this audience that sometimes a majority only means that all the fools are on the same side.

A manager can also achieve this if work is not considered a “task” to be completed, but an opportunity to learn.

Plan out your work and work out your plan’.

The king severe with rod (punishment) becomes a terror. A king with a mild rod is despised. The king just with the rod is honoured.

A collection of myths is called mythology.

There is no water like rainwater; no strength like one’s own; no light like that of the eyes; and no wealth more dear than food grain.

Daryaganj,

કામવાસના સમાન કોઈ રોગ નથી. મોહથી મોટો કોઈ શત્રુ નથી. ક્રોધ જેવી કોઈ આગ નથી અને જ્ઞાન જેવું બીજું કોઈ સુખ નથી.

They that exert to the best of their might, act also to the best of their ability, Who but disregards nothing as mere insignificant – is called wise definitely, [24] - 33 Mahatma Vidur

Kautilya advises, “Just as an elephant, blinded by intoxication and mounted by an intoxicated driver, crushes whatever it finds (on the way), so the king, not possessed of the eye of science, and (hence) blind, has risen to destroy the citizens and the country people.” (1.14.7)

Even as the unborn babe is in the womb of his mother, these five are fixed as his life destiny: his life span, his activities, his acquisition of wealth and knowledge, and his time of death.

Who make not friends with sinful, lives not away from hope futilely, Who outrages not another's wife and betrays not arrogance surely; Who never commits any theft or never shows ingratitude certainly, And never indulges in drinking is a person who is always happy. [99] - 33 Mahatma Vidur

That king who forsakes lust, anger, bestows wealth to needy, Discriminates, is learned, active, is regarded as man of authority; Prosperity is attends on king who inspires confidence in others truly, Who punishes guilty in right measure, knows when to show mercy. [97] - 33 Mahatma Vidur

यदि हीरे को पैरों से लटकाकर काँच को सिर पर सजा लिया जाए तो भी हीरे का मूल्य कम नहीं होता। अर्थात् विद्वान् को निम्न स्थान देकर मूर्ख को उच्च स्थान पर बैठाने के बाद भी विद्वान् का महत्त्व कम नहीं होता।

Who ignores not weak foe, with intellect waits for his opportunity, Who displays in season ability, with the stronger desires no hostility; Grieves not in calamity, applying all senses, patiently bearing misery, Is wise – foremost of persons and all his foes but vanquished do be. [98] - 33 Mahatma Vidur

Yaddeechachasi Vasheekartu Jagadeken Karmana. Paraapavaadashaastreebhyo Gaam Charanteem Nivaarya. If you want to overpower the entire world merely by just one action, then put restraint upon your tongue speaking ill of others.

जब तक वसंत ऋतु का आगमन नहीं होता, तब तक कोयल मौन रहती है किंतु वसंत के आगमन के साथ ही वह अपनी मधुर वाणी से दसों दिशाओं को गुंजायमान करने लगती है। इस कथन द्वारा चाणक्य ने विद्वानों को अत्यंत गूढ़ परामर्श दिया है। वे कहते हैं कि उचित समय पर ही बुद्धिमान व्यक्ति को उसके अनुकूल कार्य करने चाहिए।

अग्नि, गुरु, ब्राह्मण, गाय, कन्या, वृद्ध तथा बच्चा-चाणक्य ने इन्हें आदर और सम्मान का भागी कहा है। इस संदर्भ में वे कहते हैं कि उपर्युक्त सभी प्राणी आदरणीय लोगों की श्रेणी में आते हैं। इसलिए मनुष्य को कभी भी इन्हें पैरों से स्पर्श नहीं करना चाहिए। ऐसा करनेवाला बुद्धिहीन मनुष्य अपार दुःख भोगता है।

It is often questioned whether one person alone can transform the whole system. In reality, only one person can transform and create change. Of course, team effort makes the change possible. Yet, the whole process of change begins with that one person who created the change — the transformational leader.

আমি তখন হারিয়ে গেছি এক অতল সমুদ্রে, যাতে কেবল ঢেউএর ওপর ঢেউ, তীর নেই, সৈকত নেই, আমি কেবল খাবি খাচ্ছি আর আছড়ে পড়ছি আর ভেসে থাকার জন্য করে যাচ্ছি আপ্রাণ প্রচেষ্টা। এতো বই দেখিনি জীবনে কোনোদিন, দেখিনি এত জার্নাল, এতো মাইক্রোফিল্ম, এত রেকর্ড, এতো পুঁথিপত্র; দেখিনি অধ্যাপকদের যারা এক একটি কবি আর উপন্যাসিক আর নাট্যকার আর সমালোচক নিয়ে আজীবন সাধনা করে গিয়েছেন; যাঁদের পান্ডিত্য গভীর, নিখুঁত এবং সর্বদা খুঁতখুঁতে; পারদর্শিতার প্রতিযোগিতায় যারা একে অন্যকে কাৎ করতে সর্বদা তৎপর; আমি দেখিনি এর আগে ছাত্রছাত্রীদের এতো দীর্ঘসময় পড়তে, এতো বিষয় নিয়ে ভাবতে, তর্ক করতে, লিখতে। সেমিনারে ছাত্রছাত্রীদের পেপার শুনে আমি বিস্মিত, আতংকিতঃ কই, আমাদের তো কেউ এভাবে শেখায় নি কোনোদিন পেপার লিখতে, তা নিয়ে সমালোচনার মল্লযুদ্ধে অবতীর্ণ হতে! যেহেতু আমি বিদেশী তাই আপ্রাণ আমার প্রচেষ্টা সত্বর এদের সমকক্ষ হবার, এবং অতএব আমার আর কোনো কিছুর সময় নেই, আমার পিঠে হাজার চাবুক একসঙ্গে পড়ছে। রোজ তিনঘন্টা লাইব্রেরীতে রেয়ার বুকস সেকশনে চাকরি করতে গিয়ে আমার আরেক বিচিত্র শিহরিত বিচূর্ণ অভিজ্ঞতাঃ কত কালের পুরাতন মূল্যবান সব কিতাব কত যত্নে স্তরে স্তরে সুরক্ষিত, এবং কিছু কিছু লোক, সংখ্যায় তারা বেশি নয়, কি গভীর সম্মান সম্ভ্রমে ও ঐকান্তিকতায় ঘন্টার পর ঘন্টা এই কিতাব গুলির চিরায়ত মাহাত্ম্যে লুপ্ত! দূর অতীত থেকে বর্তমান কাল পর্যন্ত মানুষের মননশীলতার ধারাবাহিক ঐতিহ্যের সাথে এই আমার প্রথম চাক্ষুস বাহ্যিক পরিচয়। আমি জানিনে কি আছে এই সব সুরক্ষিত পুরান পুঁথিগুলোর অমর অক্ষরমালায়; আমি জানিনে কি বিরাট সম্পদ স্তরে স্তরে সাজানো আছে এক ডজন লাইব্রেরির লক্ষ লক্ষ কিতাবে; তবু এই সমুদ্রের চেয়ে বৃহৎ, হিমালয়ের চেয়েও উঁচু মননসম্পদের সাথে শারীরিক পরিচয়ে আমি স্তম্ভিত, বিহ্বল, উত্তেজিত।

चाणक्य के मतानुसार, दुष्ट और दुर्जन व्यक्तियों को धन की महत्त्वाकांक्षा होती है। उसे प्राप्त करने के लिए वे नीच कार्य करने से भी पीछे नहीं हटते। धन-प्राप्ति ही उनका एकमात्र ध्येय होता है। यद्यपि मध्यम वर्ग के व्यक्ति भी धन को महत्त्व देते हैं, तथापि उनके लिए मान-सम्मान भी अत्यंत महत्त्वपूर्ण होता है। इसी कारण धन की लालसा होते हुए भी वे नीच कार्य करने से डरते हैं। इसके विपरीत, सज्जन व्यक्तियों के लिए मान-सम्मान सबसे बढ़कर होता है। इसके लिए वे बड़ी-से-बड़ी बहुमूल्य वस्तु भी अस्वीकार कर देते हैं।