Chanakya Quotations | Page 3

Chankaya is referring there to the probibition of entry of the untrustworthy in the counsel-room. Disloyal persons foolishly speak out the secrets of the counsel not knowing the harmful effects of the same. Disclosing the secrets of the counsel mars the welfare of the country.

In trans-border relations, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies or even permanent borders. There are only permanent interests and everything should be done to secure these interests.

A thing may be dreaded as long as it has not overtaken you.

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.

Virtuous persons and fruit-laden trees bow, but fools and dry sticks break because they do not bend.

A person becomes great not by sitting on some high seat, but through higher qualities. A crow does not become an eagle by simply sitting on the top of a palatial building.

A permanent relationship is dependent on particular purpose or wealth.

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.

Generosity, pleasing address, courage and propriety of conduct are not acquired, but are inbred qualities.

If the bees which seek the liquid oozing from the head of a lust-intoxicated elephant are driven away by the flapping of his ears, then the elephant has lost only the ornament of his head. The bees are quite happy in the lotus filled lake.