Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
the drunk

Chanakya Philosopher

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: India
  • Born: 375 BCE
  • Died: 283 BCE

Chanakya was an Indian teacher, philosopher, and royal advisor.

Originally a professor of economics and political science at the ancient Takshashila University, Chanakya managed the first Maurya emperor Chandragupta's rise to power at a young age. He is widely credited for having played an important role in the establishment of the Maurya Empire, which was the first empire in archaeologically recorded history to rule most of the Indian subcontinent. Chanakya served as the chief advisor to both Chandragupta and his son Bindusara.

Chanakya is traditionally identified as Kautilya or Vishnu Gupta, who authored the ancient Indian political treatise called Arthasastra. As such, he is considered as the pioneer of the field of economics and political science in India, and his work is thought of as an important precursor to classical economics. His works were lost near the end of the Gupta dynasty and not rediscovered until 1915.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.

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?

A man is great by deeds, not by birth.

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

The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.

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.

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