21 Powerful Chanakya Quotes Which Describe the Reality of Life

Chanakya, a pioneer in political science and classic economics in India was also a great teacher and played an important role in the rise of Maurya empire. He was also a great thinker, economist, jurist and royal advisor and philosopher and his teachings have been put together in two books- Arthashastra and Chanakya Neeti. That being said, his intelligence can’t be questioned. He was no warrior, but he used his brain to fight battles.  Let us look at 21 powerful Chanakya quotes which describe the reality of life

Chanakya Quotes

1. Just as a mirror reflects as a mans face his personality is reflected in his choice of friends. One must always be careful in forming friendships and acquaintances, for one’s friends, are in a way, an extension of one’s inner inclinations and tendencies
2. No one can defeat a powerful mind

3. “Learn from the mistakes of others…you can’t live long enough to make them all yourselves”

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

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

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

7. Before you start some work always ask yourselves three questions why I am 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
8. 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
9. A man is great by deeds, not by birth.

10. Humbleness is at the root of self control
11. God dwells not in the wooden, or stone or earthen idols. His abode is in our feeling, our thoughts. It is only through the feeling that we deem God existing in these idols
12. Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth
13. Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife is misfortune
14. Once you start working on something don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it . People who work sincerely are the happiest

15. As soon as  the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it
16. Never settle for anything less than what you deserve. It’s not pride, it’s self respect

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

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

Also Read : 21 Quotes to look at the failure with different perspective

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

20. As a single withered tree, if set aflame, causes a whole forest to burn, so does a rascal son destroy a whole family
21. There is poison in the fang of the serpent, in the mouth of the fly and in the sting of a scorpion; but the wicked man is saturated with it.

I hope the quotes of this wisest political strategist of all time helped you in learning some life lessons. Please share your views in the comment section.

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