Recommended Reading
- ‘The Hitopadesa‘ by Narayana, A. N. D. Haksar
- ‘The Hitopadesha‘ by G.L. Chandiramani
- ‘The Pancatantra‘ by Visnu Sarma, Chandra Rajan
- ‘The Complete Fables (Penguin Classics)‘ by Robert Temple, Olivia Temple
- ‘Vikram and the Vampire: Hindu Tales of Adventure, Magic, and Romance‘ by Richard Francis Burton, Isabel Burton
Inspirational Quotes from the Hitopadesha (Indian Collection of Fables)
Youth, abundant wealth, high birth, and inexperience, are, each of them a source of ruin. What then must be the fate of those in whom all four are combined.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Youth
A wise person should never divulge the loss of his wealth, distress in his mind, malpractices at his home or that he has been cheated or insulted.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Weakness
One should neither have friendship nor enmity with an evil man. Coal, burns when hot and when cold, blackens the hand.
—The Hitopadesha
Let this be an example for the acquisition of all knowledge, virtue, and riches. By the fall of drops of water, by degrees, a pot is filled.
—The Hitopadesha
One should not roar in vain like the thundering of clouds in autumn (which don’t rain). A great person never proclaims the gains or losses of others.
—The Hitopadesha
Greatness does not approach him who is forever looking down.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Greatness, Greatness & Great Things
One should not lift the rod against our enemies upon the private information of another.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Punishment
In time of danger it is proper to be alarmed until danger be near at hand; but when we perceive that danger is near, we should oppose it as if we were not afraid.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Danger
One who helps us in difficult times should be considered as a relative, even if he is a stranger. One who hurts us, should be considered as a stranger, even if he is our relative. Though a disease resides in our body, it is harmful. But a medicinal plant that grows in a forest, saves lives.
—The Hitopadesha
The words of wicked people are totally different from their thoughts and their actions totally disagree with their words. On the other hand, great people are consistent in their thoughts, words and deeds.
—The Hitopadesha
What ever is the natural propensity of a person is hard to overcome. If a dog were made a king, he would still gnaw at his shoes laces.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Manners, Behavior
An intelligent person spends his time by enjoying poetry and scientific literature. In contrast, a fool spends his time in his addiction to bad habits, laziness or in some kind of quarrel.
—The Hitopadesha
Whether he’s is a child, an old person or a young man, whoever comes to your house should be received with respect. A guest deserves respect by everyone.
—The Hitopadesha
No wise person should make known the loss of fortune, any malpractice in their house, his being cheated, or having been disgraced.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Loss, Losers, Losing
The milk fed to a snake only increases its venom. Similarly, the advice given to a fool leads to aggravation and not peace.
—The Hitopadesha
When a husband is embraced without affection, there must be some reason for it.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Marriage
That one is learned who has reduced his learning to practice.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Learning
Riches go to that lion among men, who is industrious. Mean people say that wealth is to be given by fate. Overcome your destiny and put in best efforts by working hard. Who is there to blame if there is no accomplishment despite your efforts?
—The Hitopadesha
When the leader passes over all alike, not making a distinction, then the endeavors of those who are capable of exertion are entirely lost.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Motivation, Motivational
The people of the world having once been deceived, suspect deceit in truth itself.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Deception/Lying, Deception
Is anyone simply by birth to be applauded or punished?
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Ancestors, Ancestry
The words spoken by wicked people, though pleasant and agreeable, generate fear like the flowers blossoming out of season.
—The Hitopadesha
No man should ever display his bravery unless he is prepared for battle, nor bear the marks of defiance, until he has experienced the abilities of his enemy.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Enemies, Enemy
Learning is a livelihood.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Learning
A wise person should pursue knowledge and wealth as if he was to live young forever. He should practice moral principles as if death has grabbed him by his hair.
—The Hitopadesha
On the touchstone of misfortune a man discovers the strength of understanding and of spirit in kinsmen, wife, servants, and himself.
—The Hitopadesha
Subdue fate by exerting human strength to the maximum; and if, when the effort has been made and success is not achieved, no one else can be blamed.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Success, Success & Failure
A store of grain, Oh king is the best of treasures. A gem put in your mouth will not support life.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Food, Eating
She is a wife who is the soul of her husband.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Marriage
The mind is lowered through association with inferiors. With equals it attains equality; and with superiors, superiority.
—The Hitopadesha
Topics: Friends and Friendship
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- The Panchatantra Indian Collection of Fables
- Subhashita Manjari Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs
- The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
- Bhartrihari Hindu Philosopher, Grammarian
- The Upanishads Sacred Books of Hinduism
- The Bhagavad Gita Hindu Scripture
- The Mahabharata Hindu Religious Text
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