Chanakya quotes

Chanakya was an ancient Indian philosopher, teacher, and political strategist, renowned for his role in the foundation of the Maurya Empire. His works, especially the Arthashastra, greatly influenced Indian politics, economics, and governance. He is remembered as one of the earliest proponents of realpolitik and strategic statecraft in history. Here are 105 of his quotes:

Righteousness is the root of happiness.

Chanakya

A man is great by deeds, not by birth.

Chanakya

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

Chanakya

Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness.

Chanakya

The biggest guru-mantra is: never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you.

Chanakya

Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead.

Chanakya

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

Chanakya

He who is overly attached to his family members experiences fear and sorrow, for the root of all grief is attachment. Thus one should discard attachment to be happy.

Chanakya

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. For punishment when awarded with due consideration, makes the people devoted to righteousness and to works productive of wealth and enjoyment; while punishment, when ill-awarded under the influence of greed and anger or owing to ignorance, excites fury even among hermits and ascetics dwelling in forests, not to speak of householders.

Chanakya

A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first.

Chanakya

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

Chanakya

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

Chanakya

Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.

Chanakya

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.

Chanakya

Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.

Chanakya

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.

Chanakya

A man is born alone and dies alone; and he experiences the good and bad consequences of his karma alone; and he goes alone to hell or the Supreme abode.

Chanakya

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.

Chanakya

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.

Chanakya

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

Chanakya

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.

Chanakya

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

Chanakya