Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

40 Powerful Chanakya Quotes & Life Lessons To Stay Ahead

Famous As: Philosopher, Theologian
Born On: 371 BC
Died On: 283 BC
Born In: India
Died At Age: 88
Chanakya was an illustrious Indian jurist, philosopher, teacher, royal adviser and economist. He is recognised as the author of ancient Indian political treatise, ‘The Arthashastra’ and was traditionally called ‘Vishnugupta’ or ‘Kautilya’. His works, thoughts and writings are considered to be an important precursor to classical economics and he is regarded as the trailblazer of political science and economics in India. His thoughts, writings and works were rediscovered in early twentieth century as they were lost near the end of the ‘Gupta Empire’. He played an eminent role in the establishment of the ‘Mauryan Empire’. We have rounded some thoughts, opinions, experiences and viewpoints shared by the distinguished philosopher on politics, power, alone, truth, friendship, bitter, adversity, failure, happiness, feelings, God, wise, grief, peace, spiritual, relationship and more. Read through the quotable quotes and sayings by Chanakya which have been extracted from his works, writings, thoughts, philosophies and teachings.
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As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.

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

Chanakya
Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.

Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.

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

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

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

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

Chanakya
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.

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.

Chanakya
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

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

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

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

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

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

Chanakya
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.

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.

Chanakya
A good wife is one who serves her husband in the morning like a mother does, loves him in the day like a sister does and pleases him like a prostitute in the night.

A good wife is one who serves her husband in the morning like a mother does, loves him in the day like a sister does and pleases him like a prostitute in the night.

Chanakya

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.

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

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

Chanakya
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.

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.

Chanakya
The serpent, the king, the tiger, the stinging wasp, the small child, the dog owned by other people, and the fool: these seven ought not to be awakened from sleep.

The serpent, the king, the tiger, the stinging wasp, the small child, the dog owned by other people, and the fool: these seven ought not to be awakened from sleep.

Chanakya
It is better to die than to preserve this life by incurring disgrace. The loss of life causes but a moment's grief, but disgrace brings grief every day of one's life.

It is better to die than to preserve this life by incurring disgrace. The loss of life causes but a moment's grief, but disgrace brings grief every day of one's life.

Chanakya
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.

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.

Chanakya
The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort.

The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort.

Chanakya
The happiness and peace attained by those satisfied by the nectar of spiritual tranquillity is not attained by greedy persons restlessly moving here and there.

The happiness and peace attained by those satisfied by the nectar of spiritual tranquillity is not attained by greedy persons restlessly moving here and there.

Chanakya
The earth is supported by the power of truth; it is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth.

The earth is supported by the power of truth; it is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth.

Chanakya
If one has a good disposition, what other virtue is needed? If a man has fame, what is the value of other ornamentation?

If one has a good disposition, what other virtue is needed? If a man has fame, what is the value of other ornamentation?

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

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

Chanakya
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.

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.

Chanakya
He who lives in our mind is near though he may actually be far away; but he who is not in our heart is far though he may really be nearby.

He who lives in our mind is near though he may actually be far away; but he who is not in our heart is far though he may really be nearby.

Chanakya
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.

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.

Chanakya
God doesn't dwell in the wooden, stony or earthen idols. His abode is in our feelings, our thoughts.

God doesn't dwell in the wooden, stony or earthen idols. His abode is in our feelings, our thoughts.

Chanakya
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.

Chanakya
Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.

Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.

Chanakya
Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and of a compassionate heart are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform.

Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and of a compassionate heart are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform.

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

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

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

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

Chanakya