ଚାଣକ୍ଯ ନୀତି - ନଵମୋଽଧ୍ଯାଯଃ

If you desire liberation, O seeker, abandon worldly pleasures as you would abandon poison, and instead consume the nectar of forgiveness, sincerity, compassion, purity, and truth.

Those base humans who intentionally strike at the vulnerabilities of others will surely perish, just as a snake hiding inside an anthill meets its end when the hill is destroyed.

Gold lacks fragrance, the sugarcane lacks fruit, the sandalwood tree lacks flowers, and the wealthy, the learned, and the long-lived king often lack something essential; it seems that when the Creator fashioned them, no one was there to offer wise counsel.

Among all medicines, nectar is the supreme; among all comforts, food is the supreme; among all senses, the eye is the supreme; and among all parts of the body, the head is the supreme.

There is no messenger traveling in the sky, no news is transmitted, no prior discussion has taken place, and there is no meeting; yet, the learned Brahmin who understands the nature of the solar and lunar eclipses occurring in the heavens—how can he be considered anything other than a man of wisdom?

A student, a servant, a traveler, one suffering from hunger, one fearful, a storekeeper, and a gatekeeper—these seven should be awakened if they happen to be sleeping.

A snake, a king, a tiger, an old man, a child, a strange dog, and a fool—these seven should not be awakened from their sleep.

What can those Brahmins achieve who have only partially studied the Vedas and who partake of food offered by a Shudra? They are as powerless as a snake whose venom has been extracted.

If a person has no power to harm you when angry, nor the power to bestow wealth when pleased, and if he can neither restrain nor favor you—then what can he actually do, regardless of his anger?

Even a harmless snake must puff out its hood, for even if there is no poison, the mere appearance of a formidable display is enough to instill fear in others.

The time of the unwise is spent engaging in gambling in the morning, indulging in sexual pursuits at midday, and involving themselves in thievery at night.

A garland strung by one’s own hands, sandalwood paste ground by one’s own hands, and a hymn written by one’s own hands possess the power to attract prosperity even from Indra, the Lord of Heaven.

Sugarcane, sesame seeds, the service of the low-born, a beloved woman, gold, the earth, sandalwood, yogurt, and betel leaves—all these things increase in quality only when they are crushed or pressed.

Base people, consumed by the intense fire of jealousy over the fame of others and unable to reach that same exalted position, resort to slandering them. Poverty is adorned by patience, shabby clothing is adorned by cleanliness, bad food is adorned by being served hot, and ugliness is adorned by good character.