Explore Quotes by Chanakya

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

Your feelings are your god.

One whose knowledge is confined to books and whose wealth is in the possession of others, can use neither his knowledge nor wealth when the need for them arises.

It is better to die than to preserve this life by incurring disgrace. The loss of life causes but a moment's grief, but disgrace brings grief every day of one's life.

The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort.

The earth is supported by the power of truth; it is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth.

If one has a good disposition, what other virtue is needed? If a man has fame, what is the value of other ornamentation?

The wise man should restrain his senses like the crane and accomplish his purpose with due knowledge of his place, time and ability.

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?

The happiness and peace attained by those satisfied by the nectar of spiritual tranquillity is not attained by greedy persons restlessly moving here and there.

There is poison in the fang of the serpent, in the mouth of the fly and in the sting of a scorpion; but the wicked man is saturated with it.

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 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.

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

Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and of a compassionate heart are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform.

There is no austerity equal to a balanced mind, and there is no happiness equal to contentment; there is no disease like covetousness, and no virtue like mercy.

The serpent, the king, the tiger, the stinging wasp, the small child, the dog owned by other people, and the fool: these seven ought not to be awakened from sleep.

Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.

O wise man! Give your wealth only to the worthy and never to others. The water of the sea received by the clouds is always sweet.

We should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxious about the future; men of discernment deal only with the present moment.

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