Chânakya citations

“A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”

“All urgent calls he shall hear at once, but never put off; for when postponed, they will prove too hard or impossible to accomplish.”

“The contented have no fear of death.”

“If a king is energetic, his subjects will be equally energetic. If he is reckless, they will not only be reckless likewise, but also eat into his works. Besides, a reckless king will easily fall into the hands of his enemies. Hence the king shall ever be wakeful.”

“Righteousness is the root of happiness.”

“Whoever imposes severe punishment becomes repulsive to the people; while he who awards mild punishment becomes contemptible. But whoever imposes punishment as deserved becomes respectable. For punishment when awarded with due consideration, makes the people devoted to righteousness and to works productive of wealth and enjoyment; while punishment, when ill-awarded under the influence of greed and anger or owing to ignorance, excites fury even among hermits and ascetics dwelling in forests, not to speak of householders.”

“The area extending from the Himalayas in the north to the sea and a thousand yojanas wide from east to west is the area of operation of the King-Emperor.”

“The wicked have no friends.”

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

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