Chankya's Wisdom: Strategic Insights and Practical Knowledge

Chanakya, an ancient Indian political strategist and philosopher, is renowned for his profound wisdom captured in the Arthashastra. This

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Chanakya's Political Strategy and Administration

Chanakya's Arthashastra is a seminal work that offers invaluable insights into administration, governance, and leadership. Here are key quotes that elucidate his strategic thinking:

Punishment: “Punishment when awarded with due consideration makes the people devoted to righteousness and to works productive of wealth and enjoyment.”

Decision Making: “No deliberation made by a single person will be successful the nature of the work which a sovereign has to do is to be inferred from the consideration of both the visible and invisible causes.”

Ministerial Advice: “A wise man shall make use of even a child’s sensible utterance.”

Secrets and Councillors: “The king shall despise none but hear the opinions of all. A wise man shall make use of even a child’s sensible utterance.”

Ethics and Integrity

Chanakya stressed the importance of ethical and moral integrity in both personal and professional life. Here are some key quotes:

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

Decision Making: Before you start some work always ask yourself three questions: why I am 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.”

Marketing and Success: “Once you start working on something don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”

Confidentiality: The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. If you cannot keep a secret with you do not expect that others will keep it. It will destroy you.”

Education and Self-Improvement

Education was a cornerstone of Chanakya's philosophy. Here are some key quotes:

Importance of Education: “Education beats the beauty and the youth.”

Action Over Ideals: “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”

Attainments: “A man is great by deeds not by birth.”

Contentment: “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.”

Religion and Morality

Chanakya’s teachings extend to religion and morality, emphasizing the value of kindness and benevolence:

Karma: 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.

Activity: “He who nurtures benevolence for all creatures within his heart overcomes all difficulties and will be the recipient of all types of riches at every step.”

Morality: “All the creatures are pleased by loving words and therefore we should address words that are pleasing to all for there is no lack of sweet words.”

Wisdom and Philosophical Insights

Chanakya’s wisdom transcends practical knowledge, revealing profound philosophical insights:

Wisdom and Age: The man who remains a fool even in advanced age is really a fool just as the Indra-Varuna fruit does not become sweet no matter how ripe it might become.”

Commitment: “We should always speak what would please the man of whom we expect a favour like the hunter who sings sweetly when he desires to shoot a deer.”

Attachment and Love: Drop the idea that attachment and love are one thing. They are enemies. It is attachment that destroys all love.”

Realism: He who forsook his own community and joins another perishes as the king who embraces an unrighteous path.”