हितोपदेश - सुहृद्भेद - पथ्य वचः

अप्रियस्यापि पथ्यस्य परिणामः सुखावहः ।
वक्ता श्रोता च यत्रास्ति रमन्ते तत्र संपदः ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृद्भेद

A matured (well thought out) speech will bring out good results even when it is harsh (or unpleasant). Any place where there are people with clear mind to talk and open mind to listen will always prosper.

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbheda

सभारंजनशतक - अविद्या

अपि मानुष्यकं लब्ध्वा भवन्ति ज्ञानिनो नये ।
पशुतैव वरा तेषां प्रत्यवायाप्रवर्तनात् ॥

- सभारंजनशतक

Those who are fortunate enough to get a human birth and stupid enough not to get some knowledge (about self, God, etc...) are better of as animals. At least, animals are free from the sins that arise out of their actions.

- Sabharanjanashataka

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रबेध - अप्राप्तवचनं

अप्राप्तकालं वचनं बृहस्पतिरपि ब्रुवन् ।
लभते बह्ववज्ञानमपमानं च पुष्कलम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रबेध

When one utter wrong words at an inappropriate time, he is bound to attract wrath and humiliation - even when he is Bruhaspati (teacher of the Gods) himself.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabedha

हितोपदेश - शास्त्र

अनेकसंशयोच्छेदि परोक्षार्थस्य दर्शकम् ।
सर्वस्य लोचनं शास्त्रं यस्य नास्त्यंध एव सः ॥

- हितोपदेश

Scriptures will solve many doubts. It will show truths that do not usually meet the eye. Scriptures are the eyes for all people. Any person who can not read the scriptures, is blind indeed.

- Hitopadesha

यज्ञफल - अनुभव

अनुभवेन विनाधिगतं श्रुतं
    भवति नैव नॄणामुपकारकं ।
दधिनि वतर्त एव हविः पुनः
    न मथनेन विना विना तदवाप्यते ॥

- यज्ञफल

All the knowledge that one may learn from others, or read in scriptures is of no use unless one ratifies them by experience. Curd does have ingredients of ghee - but it still requires a lot of processing.

- Yajnaphala

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - बुद्धिलक्षणं

अनारंभो हि कार्याणां प्रथमं बुद्धिलक्षणम् ।
प्रारब्धस्यांतगमनं द्वितीयं बुद्धिलक्षणम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

It is wise to deliberate a lot before taking up a task. Not doing it (for right reasons) is the first sign of wisdom. But finishing what has been started is the second sign of wisdom.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

पञ्चतंत्र - कथामुख - क्षीरमिवांबुमध्यात्

अनंतपारं किल शब्दशास्त्रं
    स्वल्पं तथायुर्बहवश्च विघ्नाः ।
सारं ततो ग्राह्यमपास्य फल्गु
    हंसैर्यथा क्षीरमिवांबुमध्यात् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, कथामुख

The vastness of knowledge (written in scriptures) is huge. This life is short and filled with obstacles. Hence it is not possible to read them all. One must attempt to understand the scriptures with most value first and abandon the rest much like how a swan filters milk from water.

- Panchatantra, Kathamukha

आत्म ज्ञान

अधीत्य चतुरो वेदान् व्याकृत्याष्टादश स्मृतीः ।
अहो श्रमस्य वैफल्यं आत्मापि कलितो न चीत् ॥

All effort of understanding the four vedas and studying eighteen puranas are all in vain if one does not understand the self (Atma).

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - वचः

अदेशकालज्ञमनायतिक्षमं
    यदप्रियं लाघवकारि चात्मनः ।
योऽत्राब्रवीत्कारणवर्जितं वचो
    न तद्वचः स्याद्विषमेव तद्वचः ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

If one speaks without knowledge of space (where he is), or time, or without fore thought, or discomforting others, or diminishing one's own weight, or without any reason - such speech will be as dangerous as poison.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

विवेकचूडामणि - विचारेण

अर्थस्य निश्चयो दृष्टो विचारेण हितोक्तितः ।
न स्नानेन न दानेन प्राणायामशतेन वा ॥

- विवेकचूडामणि

It only when one deliberates on wise sayings that his belief consolidates into a conviction. Not by reciting the same thing over and over again after taking bath, or by resorting to charity or doing rhythmic breathing hundred times. Practice is much better than recital.

- Viveka Chudamani

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - मंत्रि

अंतस्सारैरकुटिलैरच्छिदैः सुपरीक्षितैः ।
मंत्रिभिर्धार्यते राज्यं सुस्तंभैरिव मंदिरम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

When constructing a building one must choose wood that is intrinsically strong, straight, without any cracks and well inspected so that they can be used as pillars that bear all the load. Similar qualities are to be expected out of minister to shoulder the weight of governance.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabhedha

अप्पय्य दीक्षित - विद्या

अक्षराणि परीक्ष्यंतामंबराडंबरेण किं ।
शंभुरंबरहीनोपि सर्वज्ञः किं न कथ्यते ॥

- अप्पय्य दीक्षित

Let us examine the education (wisdom) of a person. What good are the clothes and ornaments? Isn't Lord Shiva known to be Sarvajna (Omniscient or know-all) in spite of not wearing any clothes?

- Appayya Dikshita

भागवत - अनृतं जुगुप्स्तितम्

स्त्रीषु नर्मविवाहे च वृत्त्यर्थे प्राणसंकटे ।
गोब्राह्मणार्थे हिंसयां नानृतं स्याज्जुगुप्सितम् ॥

- भागवत

It is not a sin to lie under these circumstances - when talking to a woman, during a wedding, in your occupation, facing danger to your life, to protect a brahmin who accepts donation of a cow, to escape from violence.

- Bhagavata

अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तल - राज धर्म

स्वसुखनिरभिलाषः खिद्यसे कस्य हेतोः
   प्रतिदिनमथवा ते वृत्तिरेवं विधैव ।
अनुभवति हि मूर्ध्ना पादपस्तीव्रमुष्णं
   शमयति परितापं छायया संश्रितानाम् ॥

- अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तल

- Abhijnana Shakuntala

Why are you doing these things even if it hurts your own interest? Perhaps, this is what it is to be a king. Just like a tree bears all the heat during an afternoon to provide shade to those stand under it.

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - शील गुण

सर्वे कंकणकेयूरकुण्डलप्रतिमा गुणाः ।
शीलं चाकृत्रिमं लोके लावण्यमिव भूषणम् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

All other qualities of a noble man are like ornaments (can be acquired)- bangles, armlets or ear-rings. Only character is innate like charm.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

नागानन्द - पापानि

सर्वाशुचि निधानस्य कृतघ्नस्य विनाशिनः ।
शरीरकस्यापि कृते मूढाः पापानि कुर्वते ॥

- नागानन्द

People do all sorts of dirty business, be disrespectful of those who help him, chase impermanent wealth - all these sins are committed by fools only for the sake of body.

- Nagananda

सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार - स्वर्गगामिनः

सर्वहिंसानिवृत्ता ये नराः सर्वं सहाश्च ये ।
सर्वस्याश्रयभूताश्च ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

Only those people go to heaven who give up all kinds of violence, tolerant towards every one and always give refuge to any one who seeks help.

- Subhashitaratnabhandagara

सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार - परोपकारिणः

सर्वंसहा ये ऋजवः प्रतिज्ञातार्थपालकाः ।
परोपकारिणः सेव्याः निर्धना अपि ते जनाः ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

Even a poor man is venerable if he is very tolerant, innocent, honest and helpful to others.

- Subhashiaratnabhandagara

मनुस्मृति - शतायुषि

सर्वलक्षणहीनोऽपि यः सदाचारवान्नरः ।
श्रद्धधानोऽनसूयश्च शतं वर्षाणि जीवति ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Even when a person who does not have any other qualities, a man will live for hundred years if he is virtuous, has sincerity in all his dealings and never feels jealous.

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - पशुसंरक्षण

संरक्षणार्थं जन्तूनां रात्रावहनि वा सदा ।
शरीरस्यात्यये चैवे समीक्ष्य वसुधां चरेत् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Even when it is tough, one must look out for safe grounds for his animals (cattle and pets) - not considering whether it is day or night.

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - अतिथि

संप्राप्ताय त्वतिथये प्रदद्यादासनोदके ।
अन्नं चैव यथाशक्ति सत्कृत्य विधिपूर्वकम् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

When a guest comes to your home, you must comfort him by asking him to take a seat and offer water to quench his thirst. This is a must. Later, you can also offer him food and other pleasantries befitting on your capacity.

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - निवर्तेत मांस भक्षणम्

समुत्पत्तिं च मांसस्य वधबंधौ च देहिनां ।
प्रसमीक्ष्य निवर्तेत सर्वमांसस्य भक्षणात् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One must spare a thought to the source of all the meat. Where does it come from? How are animals killed or held captive for the same? After having thought about all these, one must (will) give up all meat eating. This verse stresses the point that one must not distance himself from the horrors of sourcing of the meat while eating it.

- Manu Smriti

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - परहितानि कुरुध्वम्

संपदो जलतरंगविलोल
   यौवनं त्रिचतुराणि दिनानि ।
शारदाभ्रपरिपेलवमायुः
   किं धनैः परहितानि कुरुध्वम् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Wealth is as temporary as a wave on still water. Youth is just a matter of few years. Our life it self is as uncertain as a cloud of Sharat month (where clouds could get formed and dispersed in a matter of minutes. No rain.) What is the use of all the wealth that you accumulate? Spend them in a way that is helpful to others.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

मनुस्मृति - गृहिणि

सदा प्रहृष्टया भाव्यं गृहकार्येषु दक्षया ।
सुसंस्कृतोपस्करया व्यये चामुक्तहस्तया ॥

- मनुस्मृति

A good wife must always be happy. She must run the household efficiently. All the things (appliances, utensils, etc) in the house must be kept clean. She must exercise a tight grip on spending.

- Manu Smriti

भागवत - निर्गुण

सत्त्वे पुलीनाः स्वर्यान्ति नरलोकं तु राजसाः ।
तमोलयास्तु निरयं यान्ति मामेव निर्गुणाः ॥

- भागवत

The people who have sattva guna (good qualities) will attain heaven. The people who have rajas guna (enjoying pleasures) will get the earth. The people who have tamas guna (demonic qualities). He who does not have any quality (does not care for qualities), will attain me (supreme being).

- Bhagavata

अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तल - सती

सतीमपि ज्ञातिकुलैकसंश्रयां
   जनोऽन्यथा भर्तृमतीं विशंकते ।
अतः समीपे परिणेतुरिष्यते
   प्रियाप्रिया वा प्रमदा स्वबंदुभिः ॥

- अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तल

Even a devoted wife is looked up by suspicion by other people (relatives) if she is not living with her husband (and living with her parents). So, a wife must live with her husband irrespective of whether he likes her or not.

- Abhijnana Shakuntala

याज्ञवल्क्य - धर्म - सत्य शौच

सत्यमस्तेयमक्रोधो ह्रीः शौचं धीर्धृतिर्दमः ।
संयतेंद्रियता विद्या धर्मः सर्व उदाहृतः ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

The following aspects living constitute Dharma - Truth, never stealing, no anger, remorse, cleanliness, intelligence to separate good and bad, calm mind, austerity, control over senses and good education

- Yajnavalkya

मनुस्मृति - सत्य धर्म

सत्यं ब्रूयात् प्रियं ब्रूयात्
   न ब्रूयात् सत्यमप्रियम् ।
प्रियं च नानृतं ब्रूयात्
   एष धर्मः सनातनः ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One must speak truth. One must speak pleasant. One must not speak the truth that is harsh. One must not speak a lie just because it is pleasant. This is the essence of Dharma.

- Manu Smriti

महाभारत - शान्ति - सत्य

सत्यस्य वचनं श्रेयः सत्यादपि हितं वदेत् ।
यद्भूतहितमत्यन्तं एतत्सत्यं मतं मम ॥

- महाभारत, शान्ति

It is good to tell the truth. But it is better to tell what is good for others. I (Sanathkumar) believe that what is good for all people in the absolute sense has to be the truth as well.

- Mahabharata, Shanti

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - धर्म

संक्षेपात्कथ्यते धर्मो जनाः किं विस्तरेण वः ।
परोपकारः पुण्याय पापाय परपीडनम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

I will tell you what constitutes Dharma concisely. There is no use giving long discourses on this aspect. Helping others will lead to good karma. Troubling others will lead to bad karma.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - धर्म

श्रूयतां धर्मसर्वं श्रुत्वा चैवावधार्यताम् ।
आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

One must read about all the ways of Dharma. After learning about Dharma one must follow it. One must not treat others in any way he does not want to be treated.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya