ଚାଣକ୍ଯ ନୀତି - ଦ୍ଵିତୀଯୋଽଧ୍ଯାଯଃ

Falsehood, rashness, deceit, foolishness, excessive greed, impurity, and mercilessness are the natural flaws inherent in women.

The ability to enjoy food, the capacity for digestion, physical passion, a beautiful wife, wealth, and the disposition to practice charity are not the fruits of meager austerities.

He whose son is obedient, whose wife acts according to his wishes, and who is content with his own wealth—for him, heaven is right here on earth.

Those are true sons who are devoted to their father; he is a true father who provides for his family; that is a true friend in whom one can place trust; and that is a true wife in whom one finds peace.

One should avoid a friend who speaks kindly to one's face but undermines one's work behind one's back, for such a person is like a pot of poison with a layer of milk on top.

Do not place your trust in a bad friend, and do not place complete trust even in a good friend, for if the friend becomes angry, they may reveal all your secrets.

Keep your intended plans secret in your mind; do not reveal them through speech. Protect your strategy like a mantra and implement it through action.

Foolishness is a source of misery, as is youth; but far more miserable than these is the state of living in another person's house.

Not every mountain possesses a ruby, nor does every elephant have a pearl in its head. Good people are not found everywhere, just as sandalwood is not found in every forest.

Wise people must always engage their children in various virtuous activities. Those who are learned in ethics and endowed with good character are honored by their families.

Those parents who do not educate their children are their enemies, for an uneducated child does not shine in an assembly of learned people, just as a crane does not shine among swans.

Indulgence breeds many faults, whereas discipline brings many virtues; therefore, one should correct and discipline a son and a student rather than merely indulging them.

One should never let a day pass without dedicating some time to the study of a verse, half a verse, or even a single syllable, while also engaging in acts of charity and noble deeds.

Separation from one's beloved, insults from kin, the remnants of debt, service to a wicked ruler, and the turning away of friends due to one's poverty—these five burn the body even without fire.

Trees standing on a riverbank, a woman living in another's house, and kings lacking sound counsel—these three undoubtedly perish quickly.

Knowledge is the strength of the learned (Brahmins), a mighty army is the strength of kings, wealth is the strength of the merchant class, and the service of others is the strength of the laborers (Shudras).

A courtesan abandons a penniless man, citizens abandon a fallen king, birds abandon a tree that has lost its fruit, and a guest abandons a host's house after having eaten.

Brahmins abandon the one who performs the sacrifice once they have received their fees, students abandon their teacher once they have acquired knowledge, and animals abandon a forest that has been burnt down.

A man who forms a friendship with an evil person—one who is wicked in conduct, malicious in outlook, and of low association—perishes very quickly.

Friendship is beautiful among equals, service is becoming to a king, trade is appropriate in business dealings, and a virtuous wife is the glory of a household.