One destitute of wealth is not destitute, he is indeed rich (if he is learned); but the man devoid of learning is destitute in every way.
—Chanakya Neeti
Those who are destitute of learning, penance,
knowledge, good disposition, virtue and
benevolence are brutes wandering the earth in
the form of men. They are burdensome to the earth.
—Chanakya Neeti
Perfection can be achieved only through devotion, for devotion is the basis of all success.
—Chanakya Neeti
To have ability for eating when dishes are ready at hand,
to have a mind for making charity when one is prosperous
are the fruits of no ordinary austerities.
—Chanakya Neeti
There are only three gems on earth –
water, food and sweet speech.
They are fools who dig out stones and call them gems.
—Chanakya Neeti
One should always speak sweet words that please the person from whom we expect a favor. To hunt for a deer, the hunter sings a melodious song first.
—Chanakya Neeti
Topics: Flattery
Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise counsel keep it secret, being determined to carry it into execution.
—Chanakya Neeti
Though men be endowed with beauty and youth and
born in noble families, yet without education they
are like the flower which is void of sweet fragrance.
—Chanakya Neeti
The elephant is a huge animal. But it is brought under control by just using a iron hook. Darkness is huge and powerful. But is killed by jsut by a small lamp. The mountain is huge and powerful, but a small diamond is used to cut the mountain. It is not useful if you are just huge and physically strong. He who has intellectual brilliance will reign.
—Chanakya Neeti
The serpent may, without being poisonous,
raise high its hood, but the show of terror is
enough to frighten people—whether he be venomous or not.
—Chanakya Neeti
Just see the plight of the honeybees beating their legs in despair upon the earth. They are Saying to themselves, “Alas! We neither enjoyed our stored-up honey nor gave it in charity, and now someone has taken it from us in an instant”.
—Chanakya Neeti
God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple.
—Chanakya Neeti
Many a bad habit is developed through over indulgence, and many a good one by chastisement.
—Chanakya Neeti
A wicked man may develop saintly qualities in the company of a devotee, but a devotee does not become impious in the company of a wicked person. The earth is scented by a flower that falls upon it, but the flower does not contact the odor of the earth.
—Chanakya Neeti
We should not feel pride in our charity, austerity,
valor, scriptural knowledge, modesty and morality
for the world is full of the rarest gems.
—Chanakya Neeti
Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.
—Chanakya Neeti
He who neither rouses fear by his anger, nor confers a favor when he is pleased can neither control nor protect.
—Chanakya Neeti
As gold is tested in four ways by rubbing, cutting, heating and beating – so a man should be tested by these four things: his renunciation, his conduct, his qualities and his actions.
—Chanakya Neeti
A student who wishes for luxuries has to sacrifice education. A student who wishes for good education has to sacrifice luxuries. A student cannot have both.
—Chanakya Neeti
One should feel satisfied with the following three things;
his own wife, food given by Providence and
wealth acquired by honest effort;
but one should never feel satisfied with the following three;
study, chanting the holy names of the Lord and charity.
—Chanakya Neeti
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.
—Chanakya Neeti
Inferior people desire wealth. The mediocre class desires wealth as well as respect. But, great people desire only respect. Respect itself is considered as wealth by great people.
—Chanakya Neeti
Sinfully acquired wealth may remain for ten years;
in the eleventh year it disappears with even the original stock.
—Chanakya Neeti
Accumulated wealth is saved by spending just as incoming fresh water is saved by letting out stagnant water.
—Chanakya Neeti
Pampering leads to many bad habits, whereas chastisement results in many good habits. Therefore, one should discipline his child or pupil without showing excessive indulgence.
—Chanakya Neeti
When you are suffering from a rare disease (or addiction), when in times of natural calamity, when you are afraid of your enemy, when you are at the doorstep of the king (to discuss your problems) or in a graveyard (when someone close to you dies), whoever stands by you is a true kinsman.
—Chanakya Neeti
Foolishness is indeed painful, and verily so is youth, but more painful by far than either is being obliged in another person’s house.
—Chanakya Neeti
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.
—Chanakya Neeti
The student, the servant, the traveler, the hungry person,
the frightened man, the treasury guard, and the steward,
these seven ought to be awakened if they fall asleep.
—Chanakya Neeti
He who is prepared for the future and he who deals cleverly with any situation that may arise are both happy; but the fatalistic man who wholly depends on luck is ruined.
—Chanakya Neeti
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Swami Vivekananda Indian Hindu Monk, Mystic
- Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Indian Philosopher, Political Leader
- Sri Aurobindo Indian Mystic, Philosopher, Poet
- Bhartrihari Hindu Philosopher, Grammarian
- Swami Chinmayananda Indian Hindu Spiritual Teacher
- Patanjali Indian Hindu Philosopher
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