Best 193 quotes of Chanakya on MyQuotes

Accumulated wealth is saved by spending just as incoming fresh water is saved by letting out stagnant water.

A friend, even if he be the enemy's son , should be protected.

A father who is a chronic debtor, an adulterous mother, a beautiful wife, and an unlearned son are enemies in one's own home.

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.

All the creatures are pleased by loving words; and therefore we should address words that are pleasing to all, for there is no lack of sweet words.

All types of riches should be amassed by all means.

A low-minded person should not be given good advice.

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.

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.

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.

A man is great by deeds, not by birth.

An egoist can be won over by being respected, a crazy person can be won over by allowing him to behave in an insane manner and a wise person can be won over by truth.

An enemy should be struck at his weak point.

A permanent relationship is dependent on particular purpose or wealth.

A person becomes great not be sitting on some high seat, but through higher qualities. Can a crow become an eagle by simply sitting on the top of a palatial building?

A person or a ruler who executes his plans (of public welfare) after due consideration, the prosperity stands with him for a longer period.

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

A ruler wishing to win shold not trust a cpterued enemy even if he may be extending had to be friend. Because deep rooted enemity, however, concealed, will ruerely come to light.

As a calf follows its mother among a thousand cows, so the (good or bad) deeds of a man follow him.

As a single withered tree, if set aflame, causes a whole forest to burn, so does a rascal son destroy a whole family.

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.

A single son endowed with good qualities is far better than a hundred devoid of them.

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?

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

A still-born son os superior to a foolish son endowed with a long life. The first causes grief for but a moment while the latter like a blazing fire consumes his parents in grief for life.

As water collected in a tank gets pure by filtration, so accumulated wealth is preserved by being employed in charity.

A thing may be dreaded as long as it has not overtaken you.

A tolerant person should not be harrased. The subject or the ruled ones generally is loyal to the ruler. The people tak to revolt when they are helpless. The duty of the ruler is that his humble people mey not tak to revolt being suppressed by his bad polity. Considering the forbearance of the subject, do not ill behave with them so that they may feel oppressed.

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.

A wicked wife, a false friend, a saucy servant and living in a house with a serpent in it are nothing but death.

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.

A wise man should not divulge the formula of a medicine which he has well prepared; an act of charity which he has performed; domestic conflicts; private affairs with his wife; poorly prepared food he may have been offered; or slang he may have heard.

Beauty is spoiled by an immoral nature; noble birth by bad conduct; learning, without being perfected; and wealth by not being properly utilised.

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.

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

Brass is polished by ashes; copper is cleaned by tamarind; a woman, by her menses; and a river by its flow.

By means of hearing one understands dharma, malignity vanishes, knowledge is acquired, and liberation from material bondage is gained.

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.

Charity puts and end to poverty; righteous conduct to misery; discretion to ignorance; and scrutiny to fear.

Constant travel brings old age upon a man; a horse becomes old by being constantly tied up; lack of sexual contact with her husband brings old age upon a woman; and garments become old through being left in the sun.

Defect in one's limb ruins a man.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do not put your trust in rivers, men who carry weapons, beasts with claws or horns, women, and members of a royal family.

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

Do not say, What what fear has a rich man of calamity.

Don't judge the future of a person based on his present conditions, becausetime has the power to change black coal to shiny diamond.

Education beats the beauty and the youth.