சாணக்ய நீதி - ஷஷ்டோऽத்யாயஃ

By listening, one understands duty; by listening, one abandons evil thoughts. By listening, one gains true knowledge; and by listening, one eventually attains liberation.

Among birds, the crow is the lowest; among animals, the dog is considered the lowest. Among ascetics, the sinner is the lowest; but the one who disparages all others is the greatest outcast of all.

Bronze is purified by ashes, copper is purified by acid, a woman is purified by her menstrual cycle, and a river is purified by its flowing current.

A king who travels is honored, a learned Brahmin who travels is honored, and an ascetic who travels is honored; but a woman who travels (wanders) is ruined.

He who has wealth has friends, he who has wealth has relatives, he who has wealth is considered a true man in this world, and he who has wealth is considered a wise man.

One's intellect, one's efforts, and one's companions all become exactly as dictated by one’s destiny.

Time cooks all living beings; time destroys all creatures. Time remains awake when all others are asleep; indeed, time is impossible to overcome.

One born blind cannot see; one blinded by lust also does not see. Those intoxicated by pride cannot see, and one who is greedy does not see the faults in his actions.

The soul performs actions by itself and itself enjoys the fruits thereof. It wanders through the cycle of existence by itself, and by itself, it attains liberation.

The king suffers for the sins committed by his kingdom, the priest suffers for the sins of the king, the husband suffers for the sins of his wife, and the teacher suffers for the sins of his student.

A father who is in debt is an enemy, as is a mother who is unfaithful. A beautiful wife can be an enemy, and an unlearned son is also an enemy.

One can win over a greedy person with money, an arrogant person with folded hands, a fool by following their whims, and a learned person by speaking the truth.

It is better to have no kingdom than to have a wicked ruler's kingdom; it is better to have no friends than to have wicked friends; it is better to have no pupils than to have disobedient pupils; and it is better to have no wife than to have a wicked wife.

How can there be happiness for subjects under a wicked ruler? How can there be peace with a wicked friend? How can there be happiness at home with a wicked wife? And how can there be fame for a teacher who instructs a wicked pupil?

One should learn one lesson from a lion, one from a crane, four from a rooster, five from a crow, six from a dog, and three from a donkey.

Whatever task a person wishes to undertake, whether great or small, it should be performed with one's total effort and focus; this is the one lesson to be learned from the lion.

A person who controls their senses, is devoid of attachment and aversion, remains equal in pain and pleasure, and is peaceful, is known as a sage who knows the truth.

Rising early, engaging in combat, sharing food with kin, and acquiring one's own sustenance before eating—these are the four lessons to be learned from a rooster.

Private intimacy, gathering resources in due time, constant vigilance, and not trusting others easily—these are the five lessons to be learned from a crow.

Eating a lot, being satisfied with little, being alert even while sleeping, being quick to wake, loyalty to the master, and bravery—these are the six qualities to be learned from a dog.

Even when exhausted, one should continue to carry their burdens without being deterred by heat or cold, and always remain contented; these are the three qualities one should learn from the donkey.

The human being who practices these twenty qualities will remain unconquerable in all circumstances and endeavors.