Pearls of wisdom

Chanakya (c. 350-283 BC) was adviser and prime minister to the first Maurya Emperor Chandragupta (c. 340-293 BC), and architect of his rise to power.
These are his pearls of wisdom.


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

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

Before you start any 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.

Once you start working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.

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

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

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

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 fruit.

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

A man is great by deeds, not by birth.

Treat your kid like a darling the first five years. For the next five years, scold them when necessary. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like your friends. Your grownup 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 beauty and youth.

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