Chanakya Neeti

[vadapav]

13.  It is better to be without a kingdom than to rule over a petty one; better 

to be without a friend than to befriend a rascal; better to be without a

disciple than to have a stupid one; and better to be without a wife than

to have a bad one. 

[vadapav]

 

15.  Learn one thing from a lion; one from a crane; four from a cock; five

from a crow; six from a dog; and three from an ass. 

[vadapav]

14.  How can people be made happy in a petty kingdom? What peace can

we expect from a rascal friend? What happiness can we have at home in

the company of a bad wife? How can renown be gained by instructing

an unworthy disciple? 

[vadapav]

16.  The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever

a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and

strenuous effort. 

[vadapav]

17.  The wise man should restrain his senses like the crane and accomplish

his purpose with due knowledge of his place, time and ability. 

[vadapav]

18.  To wake at the proper time; to take a bold stand and fight; to make a

fair division (of property) among relations; and to earn one's own bread

by personal exertion are the four excellent things to be learned from a

cock. 

[vadapav]

 

19.  Union in privacy (with one's wife); boldness; storing away useful items;

watchfulness; and not easily trusting others; these five things are to be

learned from a crow. 

[vadapav]

 

20.  Contentment with little or nothing to eat although one may have a great

appetite; to awaken instantly although one may be in a deep slumber;

unflinching devotion to the master; and bravery; these six qualities 

should be learned from the dog. 

[vadapav]

21.  Although an ass is tired, he continues to carry his burden; he is

unmindful of cold and heat; and he is always contented; these three

things should be learned from the ass. 

[vadapav]

 

CHAPTER SEVEN

[vadapav]

1.  A wise man should not reveal his loss of wealth, the vexation of his 

mind, the misconduct of his own wife, base words spoken by others,

and disgrace that has befallen him. 

[vadapav]

2. He who gives up shyness in monetary dealings, in acquiring
knowledge, in eating and in business, becomes happy.

[vadapav]

3. The happiness and peace attained by those satisfied by the nectar of
spiritual tranquillity is not attained by greedy persons restlessly moving
here and there.

[vadapav]

5. Do not pass between two brahmanas, between a brahmana and his
sacrificial fire, between a wife and her husband, a master and his
servant, and a plough and an ox.

[vadapav]

6. Do not let your foot touch fire, the spiritual master or a brahmana; it
must never touch a cow, a virgin, an old person or a child.