रामायण - किष्किन्धा - मद्यपान

न हि धर्मार्थसिद्ध्यर्थं पानमेवं प्रशस्यते ।
पानादर्थश्च धर्मश्च कामश्च परिहीयते ॥

- रामायण, किष्किन्धा

Intoxication is not conducive to following Dharma or gaining wealth. If one continues to drink, he will not be able to follow Dharma, accumulate wealth or enjoy lust.

- Ramayana, Kishkindha

महाभारत - उद्योग - सत्य धर्म

न सा सभा यत्र न सन्ति वृद्धा
    न ते वृद्धा ये न वदन्ति धर्मम् ।
नासौ धर्मो यत्र न सत्यमस्ति
    न तत् सत्यं यत्छलेनाभ्युपेतम् ॥

- महाभारत, उद्योग

There is no assembly of significance without wise old men. Old men are wise only when they follow Dharma. Dharma is supported only by truth. Truth is something that has no deceit.

- Mahabharata, Udyoga

याज्ञवल्क्य - उद्योग

न संशयं प्रपद्येत नाकस्मादप्रियं वदेत् ।
नाहितं नानृतं चैव न स्तेनः स्यान्न वार्धुषी ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

One must not create confusion. One must not utter harsh words even by mistake. Our words must not hurt others, but not be a lie. One must *not* make a living by stealing or lending money for interest.

- Yajnavalkya

याज्ञवल्क्य - विद्या तपः वृत्ति

न विद्यया केवलया तपसा वाऽपि पात्रता ।
यत्र वृत्तमिमे चोभे तद्दि पात्रं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

One does not become eligible (for anything) just being educated or having done some penance. One must have good character to augment the other two.

- Yajnavalkya

महाभारत - आदि - अनृत

न नर्मयुक्तं वचनं हिनस्ति
    न स्त्रीषु राजन् न विवाहकाले ।
प्राणात्यये सर्वधनापहारे
    पंचानृतान्याहुरपातकानि ॥

- महाभारत, आदि

When a lie is told as a joke (to invoke happiness) it does not attract sin. There are four more circumstances in life when telling a lie does not attract sin. They are - when you are with a woman, during a wedding (so that a wedding may go on smoothly), when your life is in danger or when all your wealth is being stolen.

- Mahabharata, Adi, Lie

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - सत्य

न तथ्यवचनं सत्यं नातथ्यवचनं मृषा ।
यद्भूतहितमत्यन्तं तत्सत्यमितरन्मृषा ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Just stating a fact as is not the same as telling truth. Not choosing to tell a fact is not the same as telling a lie. That which brings real (permanent) happiness to beings is truth. What does not is false.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

रामायण - अरण्य - धर्म

न तत् समाचरेद्धीरो यत् परोऽस्य विगर्हयेत् ।
यथात्मनस्तथान्येषां दारा रक्ष्या विपश्चिता ॥

- रामायण, अरण्य

A noble man will never do any deeds that will attract criticism (honest). Such a person will protect other people's wives just as he would have if it were his wife in trouble.

- Ramayana, Aranya

चारुचार्य - हरिश्चन्द्र

न त्यजेद्धर्ममर्यादामपि क्लेशदशां श्रितः ।
हरिश्चंद्र हि धर्मार्थी सेहे चाण्डालदासताम् ॥

- चारुचार्य

One must not breach Dharma even when in trouble. Raja Harishchandra never wavered from following Dharma even when was enslaved by a chandala (race which runs the crematoriums).

- Charucharya

अविमारक - सुजनः

न तथा रत्नमासाद्य सुजनः परितुष्यति ।
यथा तत् तद्गताकांक्षे पात्रे दत्वा प्रहृष्यति ॥

- अविमारक

A virtuous person will be happy when he gets something valuable. But he will be more happy when he finds a right person who needs it and will be glad to part with it.

- Avimaraka

महाभारत - उद्योग - धर्म

न जातु कामान्न भयान्न लोभात्
    धर्मं जह्याज्जीवितस्यापि हेतोः ।
नित्यो धर्मः सुखदुःखे त्वनित्ये
    जीवो नित्यो हेतुरस्य त्वनित्यः ॥

- महाभारत, उद्योग

One must not give up Dharma succumbing to lust, or fear, or greed, or simply to the desire to live. Dharma is eternal. Happiness and Sorrow are temporary and will pass. Life (as in life on this world) is eternal. Each living being (us) and the reason for it to be in this world is temporary.

- Mahabharata, Udyoga

वाक्यपदीय - अगम

न चागमादृते धर्मस्तर्केण व्यवतिष्ठते ।
ऋषीणामपि यज्ज्ञानं तदप्यागमपूर्वकम् ॥

- वाक्यपदीय

Rituals are an integral way of following dharma. One can not establish dharma in a society based solely on logic. Even the ancient sages who started these rituals knew about this. All their knowledge (about the universe) is hence not opposed to the rituals that they began.

- Vakyapadiya

हितोपदेश - सन्धि - अभयदान

न गोप्रदानं न महीप्रदानं
    न चान्नदानं न तथात्मदानम् ।
यथा वदन्तीह महाप्रदानं
    सर्वप्रदानेष्वभयप्रदानम् ॥

- हितोपदेश, सन्धि

There is no greater help than giving refuge to some one who is scared. It is greater than giving a cow, land, food or himself.

- Hitopadesha, Sandhi

भागवत - दुःखः

न कामयेऽहं गतिमीश्वरात् परा-
    मष्टर्द्धियुक्तामपुनर्भवं वा ।
आर्तिं प्रपद्येऽखिलदुःखभाजा-
    मन्तः स्थितो येन भवन्त्यदुःखाः ॥

- भागवत

I do not ask for salvation, death or wealth from god. All I ask to be among people with misery so that I can shoulder their misery and alleviate their pain.

- Bhagavata

मनुस्मृति - धर्मलक्षण

धृतिः क्षमा दमोऽस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः ।
धीर्विद्या सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धर्मलक्षणम् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

These are the ten qualities of Dharma (moral code of life): Courage, forgiveness, austerity, never stealing, cleanliness, control of senses, a balanced mind, good education, truth, being never angry.

- Manu Smriti

महाभारत - कर्णपर्व - धर्म

धारणाद्धर्म इत्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः ।
यत् स्याद्धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः ॥

- महाभारत, कर्णपर्व

This verse explains the etymology of the word "Dharma" in sanskrit. Dharma can be analyzed as 'some that supports'. Dharma clearly is the strength that supports the society and citizens. Anything that gives such honest strength can be thus called 'Dharma'.

- Mahabharatha, Karnaparva

कर्णभार - प्रजापालन

धर्मो हि यत्नैः पुरुषेण साध्यः
    भुजङ्गजिह्वचपला नृपुश्रियः ।
तस्मात्प्रजापालनमात्रबुद्ध्या
    हतेषु देहेषु गुणा धरन्ते ॥

- कर्णभार

One must follow dharma even when it is difficult to do so. The wealth and kingdom are as fickle as the tongue of a snake. Hence a wise king will rule fairly and strive to keep the subjects happy. In this way his fame will live even after his body is dead.

- Karnabhara

रामायण - अयोध्या - पितुर्वचन

धर्मो हि परमो लोके धर्मे सत्यं प्रतिष्ठितम् ।
धर्मसंश्रितमेतच्च पितुर्वचनमुत्तमम् ॥

- रामायण, अयोध्या

Nothing is above the Dharma (the moral code of life). There is no greater truth than dharma. Following one's father's advice is hence the first thing to do (given that his advice is according to dharma).

- Ramayana, Ayodhya

भागवत - हरिसेवा

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाख्यं य इच्छेच्छेय आत्मनः ।
एकमेव हरेस्तत्र कारणं पादसेवनम् ॥

- भागवत

Dharma, Wealth, Lust and salvation are the four most important goals of human life. But all of these can be achieved only by the grace of God. Hence we must serve him all our life.

- Bhagavata

रामायण - अयोध्या - धर्म

धर्मादर्थः प्रभवते धर्मात् प्रभवते सुखम् ।
धर्मेण लभते सर्वं धर्मसारमिदं जगत् ॥

- रामायण, अयोध्या

Wealth follows dharma. Dharma leads to happiness. Everything can be attained by following dharma. Dharma supports everything in this world.

- Ramayana, Ayodhya

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - धर्मः

धर्मः श्रुतो वा दृष्टो वा स्मृतो वा कथितोऽपि वा ।
संमोदितो वा राजेन्द्र पुनाति पुरुषं सदा ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Oh King! one attains some good karma every time he hears, sees, remembers, speaks about or follows dharma (the moral code of life).

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

मनुस्मृति - धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः

धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः ।
तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यः मानो धर्मो हतोवाधीत् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Any one who goes against dharma will be destroyed by dharma itself. He who protects dharma shall be protected by dharma. Hence it is not a good idea to destroy oneself by following dharma.

- Manu Smriti

हितोपदेश - सुहृत्भेद - दान बल श्रुत आत्म

धनेन किं यो न ददाति नाश्नुते
    बलेन किं येन रिपुं न भाधते ।
श्रुतेन किं येन न धर्ममाचरेत्
    किमात्मना यो न जितेन्द्रियो भवेत् ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृत्भेद

What is the use of wealth that is not spent either in charity or on himself? What is the use of strength that is not used to control enemies? What is the use of reading all the scriptures that does not make you follow Dharma? What is the use of knowing thyself when you can not over come your senses?

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbheda

हितोपदेश - मित्रलाभ - धनोपयोग

धनानि जीवितं चैव परार्थे प्राज्ञ उत्सृजेत् ।
सन्निमित्तं वरं त्यागो विनाशे नियते सति ॥

- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ

Wealth and one's life must be used to help others. So think the wise. Both are bound to be destroyed. So it is best used to help others.

- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha

रघुवंश - अंगलीवोरगक्षता

द्वेष्योऽपि संमतः शिष्टः तस्यार्तस्य यथौषधम् ।
त्याज्यो दुष्टः प्रियोऽप्यासीत् अंगलीवोरगक्षता ॥

- रघुवंश

A sick person must take medicine even if it is not tasty. Even though a person is rough he may be required for the state machinery to run smoothly. A rogue must be kept at a distance even though he is a close relative - Just like a finger bitten by a snake must be cut off to spare the rest of the body.

- Raghuvamsha

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - महिमानं

देशः कालः पात्रं वितरति वित्तस्य कमपि महिमानं ।
अब्धितले शुक्तिपुटे स्नातं घनतोयमेति मणिभावम् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

When one distributes his wealth in charity, the world (space, time and forces) seems to be working towards making him achieve greatness. A drop of fresh water from the clouds that enters the ocean selflessly gets trapped in a oyster and becomes a pearl.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

पराशरस्मृति - रक्षेदेव स्वदेहं

देशभङ्गे प्रवासे वा व्याधिषु व्यसनेष्वपि ।
रक्षेदेव स्वदेहादि पश्चाद्धर्मं समाचरेत् ॥

- पराशरस्मृति

When the country is being plundered (by enemies), when on travel, when ill, when in trouble - one must strive to protect his own body. Only later must he worry about following Dharma (the moral code of life).

- Parashara Smriti

मनुस्मृति - मनःपूतं समाचरेत्

दृष्टिपूतं न्यसेत्पादं पस्त्रपूतं जलं पिबेत् ।
सत्यपूतां वदेद्वाचं मनःपूतं समाचरेत् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One must set foot only after seeing (cleared after an inspection by the eye). One must drink water only after passing through a cloth. One must utter words that pass through the truth filter. One's actions must pass the conscience test.

- Manu Smriti

चतुर्वर्गसंग्रह - याचना

दारिद्र्येण कुलं मदेन कुशलं द्वेषेण विद्याफलं
    शीलं दुर्जनसंगेमेन मलिनाचारेण शुक्लं यशः ।
आलस्येन धनं प्रयाति निधनं लौल्येन मानोन्नतिः
    याज्ञादैन्यपरिग्रहेण च गुणग्रामः समग्रो नृणाम् ॥

- चतुर्वर्गसंग्रह

Misery hurts the family. Intoxication destroys well-being. The fruits of education are spoiled by hatred. Character is spoiled by having friendship with rogues. By doing sinful acts one destroys his fame. Laziness makes you lose wealth. Greed destroys honor. But beggary destroys all qualities that a man has.

- Chaturvargasanraha

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रसंप्राप्ति - दान लोभ शील संतोष

दानेन तुल्यो निधिरस्ति नान्यो
    लोभाश्च नान्योऽस्ति रिपुः पृथिव्याम् ।
विभूषणं शीलसमं न चान्यत्
    संतोषतुल्यं धनमस्ति नान्यत् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रसंप्राप्ति

There is no treasure (that comes in handy) better than charity. No worse enemy than greed. No better decoration than good character. No better wealth than happiness.

- Panchatantra, Mitrasamprapti

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रसंप्राप्ति - दान भोग नाश

दानं भोगो नाशस्तिस्रो गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य ।
यो न ददाति न भुंक्ते तस्य तृतीया गतिर्भवति ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रसंप्राप्ति

Wealth has to be either given away in charity, or spent, or destroyed. These are the only three outcomes from wealth. If not given away in charity, not spent, it will attain the third result.

- Panchatantra, Mitrasamprapti

हितोपदेश - मित्रलाभ - दान ज्ञान क्षमा त्याग

दानं प्रियवाक्सहितं ज्ञानमगर्वं क्षमान्वितं शौर्यम् ।
त्यागसहितं च वित्तं दुर्लभमेतच्चतुष्टयं लोके ॥

- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ

Charity with sweet words, knowledge without pride, bravery with forgiveness, wealth with generosity - all the above four are very rare in this world.

- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha