The Quotable Chanakya

Chanakya was a political adviser and writer during 350BC-275BC under the rule of Chandragupta Maurya. He is known for his political treaties called the Arthashastra and Neetishastra written under his pen name of Kautilya and Vishnugupta. Even today the name Chanakya is synonym with strategy.

While the Arthashastra discusses economics, welfare, war strategies and international relations; the Neetishashtra discusses the ideal way of life and behavioral science. Both the treaties are often referred to while teaching management principles.

A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and Honest people are victimized first.
The biggest guru-mantra is: 'Never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you.'
There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no Friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.
Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - (a) Why am I doing it, (b) What the results might be and (c) Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead.
A good wife is one who serves her husband in the morning like a mother does, loves him in the day like a sister does and pleases him like a prostitute in the night.
Whores don't live in company of poor men, citizens never support a weak company and birds don't build nests on a tree that doesn't bear fruits.
Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.
As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.
Once you start working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.
Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.
The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction.
A man is great by deeds, not by birth.
As a single withered tree, if set aflame, causes a whole forest to burn, so does a rascal son destroy a whole family.
Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend... Your grown up children are your best friends.
Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.
Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.
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.

17-Mar-2011

More by : Rajender Krishan

Top | Quotes

Views: 3588 Comments: 2

why chanakya is so on women

nagessar rangasammy
28-Jun-2012 21:24 PM

chanakya's quotes are always learnable.but if hindi version will be available may be easily understood

uttam kumar pattayat
13-Sep-2011 01:11 AM

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