It is better to die than to preserve this life by incurring disgrace. The loss of life causes but a moment's grief, but disgrace brings grief every day of one's life.
Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution.
The arrow shot by the archer may or may not kill a single person. But stratagems devised by wise men can kill even babes in the womb.
Just as it is impossible to know when a swimming fish is drinking water, so it is impossible to find out when a government servant is stealing money.
Every neighbouring state is an enemy and the enemy's enemy is a friend.
For in the absence of a magistrate (dandadharabhave), the strong will swallow the weak; but under his protection, the weak resist the strong.
Dharma is law in its widest sense-spiritual, moral, ethical and temporal. Every individual, whether the ruler or the ruled, is governed by his or her own dharma. To the extent that society respected dharma, society protected itself; to the extent society offended it, society undermined.
That man who is without religion and mercy should be rejected. A guru without spiritual knowledge should be rejected. The wife with an offensive face should be given up and so should relatives who are without affection.
There is no enemy like infatuation and fire like wrath.
Either Scholarship or Death will be my refuge.
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 no water like rainwater; no strength like one's own; no light like that of the eyes; and no wealth more dear than food grain.
Rain which falls upon the sea is useless; so is food for one who is satiated; in vain is a gift for one who is wealthy; and a burning lamp during the daytime is useless.
He shall despise none, but hear the opinions of all. A wise man shall make use of even a child's sensible utterance.
Separation from the wife, disgrace from one's own people, an enemy saved in battle, service to a wicked king, poverty, and a mismanaged assembly: these six kinds of evils, if afflicting a person, burn him even without fire.
Good behavior wins even an enemy.
A person becomes great not be sitting on some high seat, but through higher qualities. Can a crow become an eagle by simply sitting on the top of a palatial building?
A low-minded person should not be given good advice.
Do not put your trust in a bad companion nor even trust an ordinary friend, for if he should get angry with you, he may bring all your secrets to light.
Skills are called hidden treasure as they save like a mother in a foreign country.
