Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.
ChanakyaRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Choosing integrity over survival is more honorable than living in disgrace.
This quote emphasizes the importance of honor and integrity over mere existence. It suggests that experiencing death is preferable to a life filled with disgrace, as the pain of dishonor is a continuous burden that affects one's dignity and self-respect.
Themes
IntegrityHonorDisgraceLifeCourage
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about ethics, this quote can highlight the importance of maintaining one's integrity.
More from Chanakya
All quotes →Let not a single day pass without your learning a verse, half a verse, or a fourth of it, or even one letter of it; nor without attending to charity, study and other pious activity.
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The life of an uneducated man is as useless as the tail of a dog which neither covers its rear end, nor protects it from the bites of insects.
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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.
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Whoever imposes severe punishment becomes repulsive to the people; while he who awards mild punishment becomes contemptible. But whoever imposes punishment as deserved becomes respectable.
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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.
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