10 March 2005

Chanakya

I have always been intrigued by Chanakya. I have been wanting to read more about his life and teachings. But haven't had the luck so far. Today, I got a mail with Chanakya quotes. Pretty good ones.


Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
"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." -- the best one :-)

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

"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."

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

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

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

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

"A man is great by deeds, not by birth."

"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." -- another one which I liked

"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 the beauty and the youth."

6 comments:

Aravinth said...

The actual writing of Chanakya is recorded in a book called Arthasastha. Even though this book was written in India, I think it is very difficult in India to get this book. During my stay in Mumbai and Delhi, I have searched every library and book stall to get this book but there was no luck.
Later I came to know that this book is widely used in European countries for most of their studies and also most laws are based on this book.

Aravinth said...

Sorry the book name is Kautilya Arthasastra. U can get more details from this site http://www.hinduism.co.za/kautilya.htm

But not sure where you can get the books. Even if see this site is basically a South African site.

saranyan r said...

I remember watching a TV drama on chanakya, directed and performed by R.S.Manohar. It was excellent.

Aravinth, thanks for the link.

Amrita said...

Nice one. Chanakya was a strange mix of shrewdness and righteousness almost like Krishna in Mahabharata.

PVS said...

Thanks Aravinth for the update and link.

Saranyan: Haven't seen that drama. But heard about it. I've seen a few episodes of the Hindi Chanakya that was telecasted on TV. Dont remember the actors.

Amrita: Thanks for visiting and yes, Chanakya is a shrewd person.

rajesh.rangachari said...

Does anyone has "Chanakya Sabadam" drama directed by R.S.Manohar? If anyone has please share.