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.

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 life of an uneducated man is as useless as the tail of a dog which neither covers its rear end, nor protects it from the bites of insects.

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

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.

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.

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.

A man is great by deeds, not by birth.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

As long as your body is healthy and under control and death is distant, try to save your soul when death is immanent what can you do?

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.