Quotes from "Chanakyaniti "

Chanakya is considered the greatest political mind of all times (Year of Birth:350 BC Year of Death: 275 BC)

Here are some of his quotes translated from his book Chanakyaniti,

Quote 1: A man is great by deeds, not by birth.

Quote 2: A person should not be too honest. Just as straight trees are chopped-down first, honest people are taken advantage of first.

Quote 3: In a state where the ruler lives like a common man, the citizens live like kings do. And in the state where the ruler lives like a king, the citizens live like beggars do.

Quote 4: Jealousy is another name for failure.

Quote 5: The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.

Quote 6: There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.

Quote 7: Once you start working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it.

Quote 8: People who work sincerely are the happiest.

Quote 9: Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.

Quote 10: Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.

Quote 11: Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions— Why am I doing it? What the results might be? And Will Ibe successful?

Quote 12: Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to the questions, go ahead.

Quote 13: An egoist can be won over by being respected, a crazy person can be won over by allowing him to behave in an insane manner and a wise person can be won over by truth.

Quote 14: As centesimal (hundred) droppings will fill a pot so also are knowledge, virtue and wealth gradually obtained.

Quote 15: A rich man has many friends.

Quote 16: A woman is four times as shy, six times as brave and eight times as lusty as a man.

Quote 17: The four greatest enemies of a man are — the father who has takena loan, the characterless mother, the beautiful but promiscuous wife and the stupid child.

Quote 18: The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.

Quote 19: Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.

Quote 20: God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple.

Quote 21: He who befriends a man whose conduct is vicious, whose vision is impure, and who is notoriously crooked, is rapidly ruined.

Quote 22: If you get to learn something even from the worst of creatures, don't hesitate

Quote 23: As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.

Quote 24: Avoid him who talks sweetly before you but tries to ruin you behindyour back, for he is like a pitcher of poison with milk on top.