Chanakya Quotes

A collection of quotes by Chanakya.

Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnu Gupta, was an ancient Indian teacher, philosopher, and statesman. Born in 350 BCE, in what is now modern-day India, Chanakya was a renowned strategist and political advisor. He is best remembered as a key figure in the establishment of the Mauryan Empire, one of the largest empires in the Indian subcontinent.

Chanakya played a crucial role in the rise of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty. He served as Chandragupta's mentor and guided him in his conquests and governance. Chanakya's influential work, the Arthashastra, which is considered one of the earliest treatises on economics and political science, provided a comprehensive guide on statecraft and governance.

His astute political strategies, including successful alliances and diplomatic maneuvers, helped Chandragupta overthrow the Nanda dynasty and establish the Mauryan Empire. Under Chandragupta's reign, the empire flourished, and a centralized and efficient administration was implemented.

Chanakya's contributions went beyond political and military affairs, as he emphasized economic progress, social welfare, and ethical governance. His emphasis on ethical conduct and good governance laid the foundation for a just empire.

Chanakya's theories and teachings continue to inspire and guide leaders and scholars even today. His wisdom in statecraft and leadership remains invaluable, making him an iconic figure in Indian history.

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

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

The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of th

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

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

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

The biggest guru-mantra is: never share your secrets with an

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

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

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

One whose knowledge is confined to books and whose wealth is

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.

We should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxiou

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.

Fear

Education is the best friend. An educated person is respecte

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

Beauty

There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There i

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

Friendship

The wise man should restrain his senses like the crane and a

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

Knowledge

The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman

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

Beauty

As long as your body is healthy and under control and death

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?

Death

There is no austerity equal to a balanced mind, and there is

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.

Happiness

He who is overly attached to his family members experiences

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.

Family

As a single withered tree, if set aflame, causes a whole for

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

Family

Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questi

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.

Work

God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The

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

God

Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of fa

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.

Failure

A man is born alone and dies alone and he experiences the go

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.

Alone

The life of an uneducated man is as useless as the tail of a

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.

Life