Inspirational Quotes from Subhashita Manjari (Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs)

Inspirational Quotes from Subhashita Manjari (Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs)

If a dog finds a dusty piece of bone devoid of any flesh containing a little sinew, it feels happy even if that piece does not quench its hunger. On the other hand, a lion chooses not to attack a nearby jackal and hunts only for a mighty elephant. Everyone hungers for a fruit which befits his abilities though it demands extra effort.
—Subhashita Manjari

Useless is the rain that precipitates into seas.
Useless is the food that is fed to a satisfied person.
Useless is the money that is given to an able person.
Useless is the lamp that is lighted during the day time.
—Subhashita Manjari

The company of the distinguished, fetches respect even to the unworthy. Because of its association with flowers (in a garland), the thread is also worn on head.
—Subhashita Manjari

Accumulating the drops of water one by one, the pot gets filled gradually. Similarly, one should acquire all the knowledge, dharma (virtuousness) and wealth with continuous effort.
—Subhashita Manjari

Learning indeed is the highest beauty for a man. It is the wealth well concealed and protected. It is the cause of pleasures, fame and happiness, the preceptor of teachers, a friend while traveling in a foreign land and verily the highest deity. Learning, but not wealth is honored by the kinds. A person devoid of learning is a beast.
—Subhashita Manjari

Even if it is not possible to follow the righteous path entirely, one should do it as much as he can. One who is in the righteous path, will never suffer.
—Subhashita Manjari

A man’s ornament is his form. The ornament of beauty is virtue. Virtue’s ornament is knowledge. Of knowledge the ornament is forgiveness.
—Subhashita Manjari

It may be possible to forcibly snatch a jewel from the midst of powerful jaws of a crocodile. It may also be possible to cross a raging sea swimming across its high-running violent waves. One may even wear a furious snake around his head as if it is a garland of flowers. But it is impossible to win over a conceited fool.
—Subhashita Manjari

One should speak pleasant truth. One should not (directly) say truth if it is harsh, neither should one cook up pleasing words that are not true. This is an eternal principle.
—Subhashita Manjari

In the mind, speech and action, the great souls are same, but the wicked are different in mind, speech and action.
—Subhashita Manjari

Before taking any action, whether good or bad, wise men should carefully ponder over its consequences. Or else, the result of an act done in haste keeps piercing the heart like an arrow even after death.
—Subhashita Manjari

Noble men always are eager to help others. It is in their nature to do so. But wicked people cannot stand this day or night. Their heart burns with pain everytime they see a noble man prosper.
—Subhashita Manjari

What is a grain? It is the companionship of the virtuous.
What is grief? It is the company of fools.
What is loss? It is the dissipation of time.
What is prudence? It is devotion to virtue.
What is valour? It is the conquest of the senses.
Who is the beloved wife? One who is devoted to her husband.
What is wealth? It is knowledge.
What is happiness? It is to remain settled in one’s own country.
What is rulership? It is to command obedience.
—Subhashita Manjari

Be it a trivial job or a very serious one—one must be focussed on getting it done well. It is not always wise to be desireless in everything.If a potter does not make sure that the wheel is turning always, mud will neither turn into a pot or a plate automatically.
—Subhashita Manjari

One’s knowledge is his wealth when in a foreign country.
One’s intelligence is his wealth when in adversity.
One’s righteousness is his wealth in the netherworld.
One’s character is a wealth everywhere and at all times.
—Subhashita Manjari

Wealth is transient, Mind is unstable. Youth and life are temporary. Everything in this world is short-lived, but the one who has acquired fame lives forever.
—Subhashita Manjari

One who influences (inspires, motivates and contributes to) the lives of his friends and relatives is the only one whose life is worthwhile. Who in this world lives without any selfish motives?
—Subhashita Manjari

Untill you befriend a person, you have to be courteous and nice to him. Mind one’s demeanor. But once the friendship is earned, being courteous and nice amounts to deciet. We owe it to our friends to be frank and forthright. This clearnly indicates the difference between an acquintance and a friend.
—Subhashita Manjari

All good qualities are possessed by a scholar.
Only few bad habits constitute a fool’s character.
That’s why, for every thousand fools, you can witness one scholar.
—Subhashita Manjari

Even if a teacher teaches a student just one letter in an alphabet the student is indebted to the teacher. there is no object in the world that the student can give the teacher to repay his debt.
—Subhashita Manjari

A man of culture does not speak unpleasantly though burnt by the burning coals of displeasing talk. Does the fragrant aloe wood abandon its natural fragrance when being burnt?
—Subhashita Manjari

There is no parallel to the peace of mind that people get when they are content and happy. Just look at the other extreme, people who are greedy and dissatisfied are running from pillar to post in search of wealth.
—Subhashita Manjari

In times of prosperity, the minds of great people are as soft as gentle water lilies, whereas in adversity when going gets tough, they become as hard as a huge mass of solid rock.
—Subhashita Manjari

The companionship of good people removes the inertia of one’s mind, nurtures truth in the speech, enhances prestige, expiates the sins, comforts the conscience, spreads the name and fame in all directions. Say! what good is there which the company of devout does not bring to a man.
—Subhashita Manjari

In this world every one wants to out do the other. It is a rat race going on every one’s mind. Every one will try to do the best of his abilities. Still, not every one will succeed. That is the way of nature.One must not be depressed at failure not overly joyed at success.
—Subhashita Manjari

A fool has five characteristic qualities; vanity, bad-mouthing, anger, stubbornness, lack of respect for others’ opinions.
—Subhashita Manjari

There is strength in numbers and unity. That is the way you can kill an enemy. Just look at the collection of straws that make the roof of the hut. They protect us from even the heavy rains, alone none of those straws can do the same.
—Subhashita Manjari

The courage of a hero cannot be wiped off even though he is worried. Though (source of the flame) reversed, the flames do not point downwards.
—Subhashita Manjari

An enemy, though powerful can be easily uprooted by a patient person, if he is shaken by the wind of disaffection and if his supporters are gradually estranged, like a tree which, though big, can be easily uprooted shaken by the wind and its mass of roots gradually giving way.
—Subhashita Manjari

Greed is the root cause of all sins. Greed is the cause of all problems that one faces. Greed fuels the growth of enemies. Excessive greed destroys one’s life.
—Subhashita Manjari

Wondering Whom to Read Next?

• The Panchatantra Indian Collection of Fables
• Bhartrihari Hindu Philosopher, Grammarian
• The Hitopadesha Indian Collection of Fables
• Kalidasa Indian Sanskrit Poet, Dramatist
• The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
• Tulsidas Indian Hindu Poet
• Indira Gandhi Indian Head of State
• Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit Indian Politician, Diplomat
• Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Head of State
• Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi Persian Muslim Mystic