Explore Chanakya’s timeless wisdom with 200 quotes across 20 categories, offering insights into life, leadership, and success. Get inspired and elevate your perspective.
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Table of Contents
Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was an ancient Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist, and royal advisor.
His works, particularly the Arthashastra and Chanakya Neeti, are filled with profound wisdom that remains relevant today.
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Chanakya Quotes
Here, we have curated 200 Chanakya quotes, categorized into 20 essential themes, to inspire and guide you in various aspects of life.
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Wisdom and Knowledge
- “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first, and honest people are screwed first.”
- “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.”
- “Knowledge is like holy kamadhenu and is the most precious treasure.”
- “There is no wealth like knowledge and no poverty like ignorance.”
- “As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.”
- “Education is the best weapon with which you can face the world.”
- “A learned man is honored by the people. A learned man commands respect everywhere for his learning.”
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Leadership and Governance
- “A person who is too polite can be exploited.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “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.”
- “A king who is mild in the governance of his kingdom is not respected.”
- “The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. However, the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.”
- “One wise enough to govern others must be wise enough to govern himself.”
- “Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A person should not be too honest.”
- “A person should perform his duties well.”
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Wealth and Prosperity
- “There is no austerity equal to a balanced mind, and no happiness equal to contentment.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
- “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.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “Accumulated wealth is saved by spending just as incoming fresh water is saved by letting out stagnant water.”
- “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere.”
- “Wealth that can be enjoyed and one that cannot be enjoyed, the one that is spent and the one that is given to others, is the best wealth.”
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Life and Philosophy
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first, and honest people are screwed first.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “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.”
- “Do not be very upright in your dealings, for you would see by going to the forest that straight trees are cut down while crooked ones are left standing.”
- “Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.”
- “Once you start working on something, do not be afraid of failure, and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
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Friendship and Relationships
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “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.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Power and Politics
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “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.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Success and Failure
- “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.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “Once you start working on something, do not 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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Education and Learning
- “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “There is no wealth like knowledge and no poverty like ignorance.”
- “A learned man is honored by the people. A learned man commands respect everywhere for his learning.”
- “Education is the best weapon with which you can face the world.”
- “Knowledge is like holy kamadhenu and is the most precious treasure.”
- “There is no austerity equal to a balanced mind, and no happiness equal to contentment.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first, and honest people are screwed first.”
- “As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.”
- “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.”
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Self-Improvement
- “Once you start working on something, do not be afraid of failure and do not abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “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.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
- “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere.”
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Ethics and Morality
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “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.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Human Nature
- “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.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Women and Relationships
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “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.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Duty and Responsibility
- “A person should perform his duties well.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “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.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “Once you start working on something, do not 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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Foresight and Planning
- “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.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “Once you start working on something, do not be afraid of failure, and do not abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”
- “Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Time and Patience
- “As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “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.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “Once you start working on something, do not 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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Behavior and Conduct
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “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.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “Once you start working on something, do not be afraid of failure, and do not abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”
- “Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
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War and Strategy
- “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.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “Once you start working on something, do not be afraid of failure, and do not abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”
- “Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
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Cunning and Craftiness
- “Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “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.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “Once you start working on something, do not 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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Love and Emotions
- “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “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.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “Once you start working on something, do not 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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Religion and Spirituality
- “There is no austerity equal to a balanced mind, and no happiness equal to contentment.”
- “A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first.”
- “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.”
- “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
- “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests.”
- “Once you start working on something, do not 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 counsel keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.”
- “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
- “Test a servant while discharging his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”
- “Wealth, a friend, a wife, and a kingdom may be regained, but this body, when lost, may never be acquired again.”
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Conclusion
Chanakya’s insights continue to resonate through the ages, offering guidance on everything from personal conduct to governance.
Reflecting on these quotes and integrating their wisdom into our daily lives can help us strive towards a more enlightened and balanced existence.
Whether seeking advice on leadership, relationships, or self-improvement, Chanakya’s teachings provide a timeless source of knowledge and inspiration.
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