Pride goes before a fall

यदा किञ्चिज्ज्ञोहं द्विप इव मदान्धः समभवम्
तदा सर्वज्ञोस्मीत्यभवदवलिप्तं मम मनः ।
यदा किञ्चित्किञ्चिद्बुधजनसकाशादवगतम्
तदा मूर्खोस्मीति ज्वर इव मदो मे व्यपगतः ॥

- नीतिशतकम्

When I was ignorant, I was blinded by pride like an intoxicated elephant. My mind was elated and I used to think myself to be all-knowing. However, by keeping company with the wise, my pride was humbled like fever, as I gradually realized that I am an idiot.

Pride goes before a fall.
A little learning is a dangerous thing.

Read more...

Greed is the root of all evil

लोभमूलानि पापानि
सङ्कटानि तथैव च ।
लोभात्प्रवर्तते वैरम्
अतिलोभात्विनश्यति ॥

Greed is the root cause of all sins.
Greed is the cause of all problems that one faces.
Greed fuels the growth of enemies.
Excessive greed destroys one's life.

Greed is the root of all evil.
Much wants more and loses all.

Read more...

A true friend never walks away

क्षीरेणात्मगतोदकाय हि गुणाः दत्ताः पुरा तेऽखिलाः
क्षीरे तापमवेक्ष्य तेन पयसा ह्यात्मा कृशानौ हुतः ।
गन्तुं पावकमुन्मनस्तदभवद्दृष्ट्वा तु मित्रापदम्
युक्तं तेन जलेन शाम्यति सतां मैत्री पुनस्त्वीदृशी ॥

- नीतिशतकम्

Milk imparts its inherent qualities like sweetness to its constituent water. When it is boiled, the water on having seen the milk in distress immediately sacrifices itself to the fire (and evaporates). The milk in turn becomes eager to throw itself into the fire (by boiling over) on seeing the plight of its friend water. However, it settles down when some water is poured. Such is the nature of friendship of the virtuous.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.
It is prosperity that gives us friends, adversity that proves them.
A true friend sticks with you through thick and thin no matter what.

Read more...

Advice is least heeded when most needed

व्यालं बालमृणालतन्तुभिरसौ रोद्धुं समुज्जृम्भते
छेत्तुं वज्रमणीं शिरीषकुसुमप्रान्तेन सन्नह्यते ।
माधुर्यं मधुबिन्दुना रचयितुं क्षाराम्बुधेरीहते
नेतुं वाञ्छति यः खलान्पथि सतां सूक्तैः सुधास्यन्दिभिः ॥

- नीतिशतकम्

Whoever wishes to reform and guide wicked people into the righteous path by using nectarous sweet words, is actually trying to tie an elephant with the tender stalk of a lotus, to cut a diamond with the delicate petals of a Shirish flower, or to impart sweetness to an ocean with a drop of honey.

You cannot wash charcoal white.
Advice is least heeded when most needed.
Never try to teach a pig to sing.
It wastes your time and it annoys the pig.

Read more...

A closed mouth catches no flies

उद्यमेन हि सिध्यन्ति
कार्याणि न मनोरथैः ।
न हि सुप्तस्य सिंहस्य
प्रविशन्ति मुखे मृगाः ॥

- पञ्चतन्त्रम्

- हितोपदेशः

Any work gets accomplished only by hard work and not by mere pledges. Animals by themselves, do not enter into a sleeping lion's mouth.

A closed mouth catches no flies.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Vision without action is a daydream.
Action without vision is a nightmare.

Read more...

When going gets tough, the tough get going

सम्पत्सु महतां चित्तम् भवत्युत्पलकोमलम् ।
आपत्सु च महाशैलशिलासङ्घातकर्कशम् ॥

- नीतिशतकम्

In times of prosperity, the minds of great people are as soft as gentle water lilies, whereas in adversity when going gets tough, they become as hard as a huge mass of solid rock.

When going gets tough, the tough get going.
Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.

Read more...

Learn as if you were to live forever

अजरामरवत्प्राज्ञो
विद्यामर्थञ्च चिन्तयेत् ।
गृहीत इव केशेषु
मृत्युना धर्ममाचरेत् ॥

- हितोपदेशः

A wise person should pursue knowledge and wealth as if he was to live young forever. He should practice moral principles as if death has grabbed him by his hair.

Learn as if you were to live forever.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow.

Read more...

Answer a fool according to his folly

लभेत सिकतासु तैलमपि यत्नतः पीडयन्
पिबेच्च मृगतृष्णिकासु सलिलं पिपासार्दितः ।
कदाचिदपि पर्यटन् शशविषाणमासादयेत्
न तु प्रतिनिविष्टमूर्खजनचित्तमाराधयेत् ॥

- नीतिशतकम्

It may be possible to extract oil even by squeezing sand. It may also be possible to quench thirst by drinking water from a mirage. One may even find horns of a rabbit possibly while traveling. But it is impossible to win over a conceited fool!

Every evil has its remedy, except folly.
Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.
Never argue with a fool. People might not be able to tell the difference.

Read more...

An idle brain is devil's workshop

षड्दोषाः पुरुषेणेह
हातव्या भूतिमिच्छता ।
निद्रा तन्द्रा भयं क्रोधः
आलस्यं दीर्घसूत्रता ॥

- महाभारतम्

An ambitious person should overcome the following six weaknesseses - resting (oversleeping), lethargy, fear, anger, laziness and procrastination.

An idle brain is devil's workshop.
Procrastination is the thief of time.
Idleness is sweet, and its consequences are cruel.

Read more...

Pessimism never won any battle

शोकस्थानसहस्राणि
भयस्थानशतानि च ।
दिवसे दिवसे मूढम्
आविशन्ति न पण्डितम् ॥

- महाभारतम्

- हितोपदेशः

A pessimistic ignorant fool is always disturbed by thousands of reasons to cry and hundreds of reasons to be afraid everyday. A wise person is never affected by these.

An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty,
whereas a pessimist sees difficulties in every opportunity.
When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry,
show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.

Read more...

Feed the needy, not the greedy

वृथा वृष्टिः समुद्रेषु
वृथा तृप्तस्य भोजनम् ।
वृथा दानं समर्थस्य
वृथा दीपो दिवापि च ॥

- चाणक्यनीतिः

Useless is the rain that precipitates into seas.
Useless is the food that is fed to a satisfied person.
Useless is the money that is given to an able person.
Useless is the lamp that is lighted during the day time.

Feed the needy, not the greedy.
Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it.

Read more...

Time is free, but it's priceless

आयुषः क्षण एकोऽपि
न लभ्यः स्वर्णकोटिभिः ।
स चेन्निरर्थकं नीतः
का नु हानिस्ततोऽधिका ॥

- चाणक्यनीतिः

Alternately,

आयुषः क्षण एकोऽपि
सर्वरत्नैर्न लभ्यते ।
नीयते स वृथा येन
प्रमादः सुमहानहो ॥

Not even a single moment of life can be bought with all the gold and jewels on earth. Therefore, one should utilize every single moment, failing which leads to an irremediable disaster.

Time is free, but it's priceless.
You can't own it, but you can use it.
You can't keep it, but you can spend it.
Once you've lost it, you can never get it back.

Read more...

Self help is the best help

देहीति वचनं श्रुत्वा
देहस्था पञ्चदेवताः ।
तत्क्षणादेव लीयन्ते
धीह्रीश्रीक्रान्तिकीर्तयः ॥

As soon as the words "I beg you. Please give me" are uttered, the five inherent divine qualities in a man – intelligence, modesty, riches, countenance and reputation die instantly.

It is better to know how to help yourself than to beg from others.
Self help is the best help.

Read more...

Ignorance is bliss

द्वावेव चिन्तया मुक्तौ
परमानन्द आप्लुतौ ।
यो विमुग्धो जडो बालो
यो गुणेभ्यः परं गतः ॥

These are the only two who are free from anxiety and thereby enjoy the eternal bliss - the innocent jobless children and the ones who have gone beyond 'Guna's (i.e, those who are spiritually enlightened).

Ignorance is bliss.

Read more...

A neat appearance always helps

कुचैलिनं दन्तमलोपधारिणम्
बह्वाशिनं निष्ठुरभाषिणं च ।
सूर्योदये चाऽस्तमये च शायिनम्
विमुञ्चति श्रीरपि चक्रपाणिनम् ॥

- चाणक्यनीतिः

He who wears dirty clothes, doesn't brush his teeth, is a glutton, speaks rudely, sleeps at dawn and dusk is forsaken by the goddess of wealth even if he is Lord Vishnu.

Cleanliness is next to godliness.
A neat appearance always helps.
First impression is the best impression.

Read more...

In adversity, we know our true friends

आतुरे व्यसने प्राप्ते
दुर्भिक्षे शत्रुसङ्कटे ।
राजद्वारे श्मशाने च
यस्तिष्ठति स बान्धवः ॥

- चाणक्यनीतिः

When you are suffering from a rare disease (or addiction), when in times of natural calamity, when you are afraid of your enemy, when you are at the doorstep of the king (to discuss your problems) or in a graveyard (when someone close to you dies), whoever stands by you is a true kinsman.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.
It is prosperity that gives us friends, adversity that proves them.
In prosperity, our friends know us.
In adversity, we know our friends.

Read more...

A fool's tongue runs before his wit

मूर्खस्य पञ्च चिह्नानि
गर्वो दुर्वचनं तथा ।
क्रोधश्च दृढवादश्च
परवाक्येष्वनादरः ॥

A fool has five characteristic qualities; vanity, bad-mouthing, anger, stubbornness, lack of respect for others' opinions.

A fool's tongue runs before his wit.

Read more...

Spare the rod, spoil the child

लालनाद्बहवो दोषाः
ताडने बहवो गुणाः ।
तस्मात्पुत्रं च शिष्यं च
ताडयेन्न तु लालयेत् ॥

- चाणक्यनीतिः

Pampering leads to many bad habits, whereas chastisement results in many good habits. Therefore, one should discipline his child or pupil without showing excessive indulgence.

Spare the rod, spoil the child.

Read more...

A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner

सम्पदो महतामेव
महतामेव चापदः ।
वर्धते क्षीयते चन्द्रो
न तु तारागणः क्वचित् ॥

Riches are meant to be enjoyed by great people. Difficulties are also meant to be overcome by them. They are the ones who go through lots of ups and downs in life. The moon grows and shrinks whereas stars remain the same.

The virtue of adversity is fortitude.
A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.
Prosperity tries the fortunate; adversity the great.

Read more...

Be the change you want to see

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठः
तत्तदेवेतरो जनः ।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते
लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥

– भगवद्गीता

Whatever a great person does, other people imitate the same thing. Whatever standards he sets up, the world follows the same.

Be the change you want to see in the world.
The best example of leadership is leadership by example.

Read more...

Life lived for others is a life worthwhile

जीविते यस्य जीवन्ति
विप्रा मित्राणि बान्धवाः ।
सफलं जीवितं तस्य
आत्मार्थे को न जीवति ॥

- हितोपदेशः

One who influences (inspires, motivates and contributes to) the lives of his friends, relatives and wise people is the only one whose life is worthwhile. Who in this world lives without any selfish motives?
(Everyone lives only for himself, and there is no point in living such a life)

Life lived for others is a life worthwhile.
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
Life is not about finding your purpose.
It's about going out and creating a purpose to be remembered by.

Read more...

A clean conscience is the best pillow

दिवसेनैव तत् कुर्यात्
येन रात्रौ सुखं वसेत् ।
यावज्जीवञ्च तत् कुर्यात्
येन प्रेत्य सुखं वसेत् ॥

- विदुरनीतिः

Do such a work throughout the day, which lets you enjoy a sound sleep in the night. Do such a work throughout your life, which lets you enjoy the eternal peace after death.

A clean conscience is the best pillow.
Nothing can bring you happiness but yourself.

Read more...

A good deed is never lost

वने रणे शत्रुजलाग्निमध्ये
महार्णवे पर्वतमस्तके वा ।
सुप्तं प्रमत्तं विषमस्थितं वा
रक्षन्ति पुण्यानि पुरा कृतानि ॥

- नीतिशतकम्

The good deeds done by a person in the past always protect him whether he is in a forest, battlefield, deep ocean or top of a mountain; whether he is amidst enemies, fire or flood; whether he is asleep, unconscious or any odd condition.

A good deed is never lost.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Read more...

Little things please little minds

अधमाः धनमिच्छन्ति
धनं मानं च मध्यमाः ।
उत्तमाः मानमिच्छन्ति
मानो हि महतां धनम् ॥

- चाणक्यनीतिः

Inferior people desire wealth. The mediocre class desires wealth as well as respect. But, great people desire only respect. Respect itself is considered as wealth by great people.

Little things please little minds.
Our lives are shaped by what we love.

Read more...

Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame

क्रोधमूलो मनस्तापः
क्रोधः संसारबन्धनम् ।
धर्मक्षयकरः क्रोधः
तस्मात्क्रोधं परित्यज ॥

- अध्यात्मरामायणम्

Anger is the root of anxiety and mental distress. It is anger that keeps people bound to a worldly life. It even destroys righteous qualities. Therefore, put away your anger.

Anger is short-lived madness.
Anger is just one letter short of danger!
Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame.

Read more...

Blessed are those who keep good company

दुर्लभं त्रयमेवैतत्
दैवानुग्रहहेतुकम् ।
मनुष्यत्वं मुमुक्षुत्वम्
महापुरुषसंश्रयः ॥

These are the only three things that are difficult to achieve. They depend on blessings of fate.

1. Human life


2. Desire for release from cycle of rebirth


3. Company of great people.

Life is a gift.
He who walks with wise grows wise.

Read more...

Unity is strength

बहूनामप्यसाराणाम्
समवायो हि दुर्जयः ।
तृणैरावेष्ट्यते रज्जुः
येन नागोऽपि बद्ध्यते ॥

- पञ्चतन्त्रम्

Even insignificant things when grouped together become powerful and cannot be defeated easily. A rope made of hay sticks controls even a powerful elephant by firmly binding it.

In union, there is strength.
United we stand, divided we fall.

Read more...

If character is lost, everything is lost

विदेशेषु धनं विद्या
व्यसनेषु धनं मतिः ।
परलोके धनं धर्मः
शीलं सर्वत्र वै धनम् ॥

One's knowledge is his wealth when in a foreign country.
One's intelligence is his wealth when in adversity.
One's righteousness is his wealth in the netherworld.
One's character is a wealth everywhere and at all times.

If money is lost, nothing is lost.
If health is lost, something is lost.
If character is lost, everything is lost.

Read more...

Little drops make the mighty ocean

जलबिन्दुनिपातेन
क्रमशः पूर्यते घटः ।
स हेतुः सर्वविद्यानां
धर्मस्य च धनस्य च ॥

- चाणक्यनीतिः

Accumulating the drops of water one by one, a pot is filled gradually. Similarly, one should acquire all the knowledge, dharma (virtuousness) and wealth with continuous effort.

Slow but steady wins the race.
Little drops make the mighty ocean.

Read more...

Make your guests feel at home

बालो वा यदि वा वृद्धो
युवा वा गृहमागतः ।
तस्य पूजा विधातव्या
सर्वस्याभ्यागतो गुरुः ॥

- हितोपदेशः

Whether he's is a child, an old person or a young man, whoever comes to your house should be received with respect. A guest deserves respect by everyone.

Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were.

Read more...

The harder you fall, the higher you bounce

पातितोऽपि कराघातैः
उत्पतत्येव कन्दुकः ।
प्रायेण साधुवृत्तानाम्
अस्थायिन्यो विपत्तयः ॥

- नीतिशतकम्

A ball, though forced to fall on ground with a blow from hand, rebounds upwards. In general, the failures of the virtuous do not last long.

Failure is a stepping stone to success.
The harder you fall, the higher you bounce.

Read more...