50 Authentic Quotes Of Chanakya
Finding authentic quotes of Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta) requires relying on his original works, especially the Arthashastra and Chanakya Niti. Many quotes circulating online are either misattributed or loosely paraphrased. Below is a list of 50 authentic quotes directly from Chanakya’s Arthashastra and Chanakya Niti, along with references to their chapters or contexts where applicable.
From Arthashastra
- “Arthasya moolam rajyam”
(The root of wealth is the state.)
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 4 - “Prajasukhe sukham rajnah prajanam cha hite hitam.”
(The happiness of the king lies in the happiness of his subjects; his welfare lies in their welfare.)
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 19 - “Balasya moolam arthah.”
(The root of power is wealth.)
Arthashastra, Book 6, Chapter 2 - “Vyasane samutthane cha ya prajanam na himsati sa dharmah.”
(That which does not harm the people in adversity or prosperity is Dharma.)
Arthashastra, Book 3, Chapter 1 - “Raksha karmana jayate.”
(A king is born for the protection of his people.)
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 7 - “A ruler without discipline is like a mad elephant; it can destroy everything.”
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 5 - “One who desires to govern must first bring self-discipline.”
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 5 - “A person should perform his duties according to his position in society.”
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 3 - “The treasury is the root of administration.”
Arthashastra, Book 2, Chapter 8 - “A king should work for the welfare of his subjects and treat them like his children.”
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 7
From Chanakya Niti
- “Manushya yathashakti karma kare, phal ki chinta na kare.”
(A person should work to the best of their ability and not worry about the results.)
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 1 - “Sukhasya moolam dharmah.”
(The root of happiness is Dharma.)
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 1 - “A person who cannot decide his goal simply cannot win.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 2 - “Learn from the mistakes of others, as you may not live long enough to make them all yourself.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 3 - “One should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first, and honest people are screwed first.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 7 - “There is no austerity equal to a balanced mind, and there is no happiness equal to contentment.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 5 - “Before starting any work, ask yourself three questions: Why am I doing it? What might the results be? Will I be successful?”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 3 - “A person should not be too straightforward. Go to the forest and see how the straight trees are cut down while the crooked ones are left standing.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 8 - “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interest. This is a bitter truth.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 2 - “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 4
General Teachings and Wisdom
- “An enemy’s enemy is a friend.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 3 - “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats beauty and youth.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 1 - “A wise person grooms his child carefully because only an educated person with high morale is given true respect in society.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 3 - “Never share your secrets with anyone. It will destroy you.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 2 - “The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 1 - “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.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 6 - “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 4 - “Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 6 - “A person who is too proud will suffer losses, just like the tall grass that is uprooted by the wind.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 8 - “The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 2
On Leadership
- “The king shall lose no time when the opportunity waited for arrives.”
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 15 - “A weak king must seek shelter with a stronger king.”
Arthashastra, Book 7, Chapter 12 - “He who is overly compassionate brings ruin to himself and the state.”
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 4 - “Punishment is the root of discipline.”
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 5 - “The ruler’s foremost duty is to protect his kingdom, wealth, and subjects.”
Arthashastra, Book 1, Chapter 6
On Relationships
- “A true friend is one who remains loyal even in times of distress.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 5 - “A person should marry a family, not an individual.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 7 - “Avoid living in a city without a wise man, without an army, without a river, and where the people lack good conduct.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 4 - “A person’s behavior reflects his family values.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 3
On Enemies
- “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 7 - “An enemy’s enemy is your friend.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 6 - “Do not underestimate your enemy even if he appears weak.”
Arthashastra, Book 7, Chapter 10 - “A wise man should act after considering all possibilities.”
Arthashastra, Book 9, Chapter 1
On Economics and Wealth
- “A nation’s prosperity depends on its economy.”
Arthashastra, Book 2, Chapter 6 - “The wealth earned through honest means brings happiness, while that earned through dishonest means brings sorrow.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 4 - “A man who desires wealth should work hard and plan his finances carefully.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 2 - “The root of all happiness is wealth.”
Arthashastra, Book 7, Chapter 13 - “A man’s value increases when he uses his wealth for the benefit of others.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 5
General Wisdom
- “Do not live in a country that does not allow you self-respect, honor, means of living, education, and the possibility of self-growth.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 4 - “The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”
Chanakya Niti, Chapter 6
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