What’s duly his, a man receives;
This law not even God can break;
My heart is not surprised, nor grieves;
For what is mine, no strangers take.
—The Panchatantra
All fortune belongs to him who has a contented mind.
—The Panchatantra
Topics: Blessings, Gratitude, Appreciation
Whoever is friendly in adversity, is indeed a true friend. In prosperity, even a wicked person wants to be a friend.
—The Panchatantra
Time drinketh up the essence of every great and noble action which ought to be performed but is delayed in the execution.
—The Panchatantra
Topics: Delay
Even if one lives for a second it must be filled with knowledge, valour, magnanimity and other good qualities. Only such a life is considered worth living. Even a crow lives a long life just by living on food offered by others. It is up to us whether we want to live like a crow or make our life worth remembering.
—The Panchatantra
The learned have prescribed penance for the murderer of a pious man, a drunkard, a thief or for one who has violated a solemn vow. But there is no pardon for the ungrateful.
—The Panchatantra
By associating with good and evil persons a man acquires the virtues and vices which they possess, even as the wind blowing over different places takes along good and bad odors.
—The Panchatantra
Topics: Friendship
Knowledge is the true organ of sight, not the eyes.
—The Panchatantra
Topics: Knowledge
If a man be self-controlled, truthful, wise, and resolute, is there aught that can stay out of reach of such a man?
—The Panchatantra
Topics: Character, Success
There is no gathering the rose without being pricked by the thorns.
—The Panchatantra
Topics: Risk
Even if a wealthy person gets old, he does not lose the youthfulness. For a poor man, his youth is as good as his oldage, because he is constrained by lack of money.
—The Panchatantra
Guilty consciences always make people cowards.
—The Panchatantra
Topics: Conscience
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Subhashita Manjari Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs
The Hitopadesha Indian Collection of Fables
The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
Bhartrihari Hindu Philosopher, Grammarian
Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi Persian Muslim Mystic
The Upanishads Sacred Books of Hinduism
The Bhagavad Gita Hindu Scripture
The Mahabharata Hindu Religious Text