25 Chanakya’s Business Quotes: Timeless Wisdom for Entrepreneurs From Chanakya Niti
Last Updated on December 17, 2022
Chanakya, also known as Kautilya, was a renowned ancient Indian statesman and philosopher who is widely regarded as one of the greatest political strategists in history. His treatise on statecraft, the Arthashastra, is considered a classic work on political science and economics, and is still studied and debated by scholars today.
Throughout his writings, Chanakya offers a wealth of insights and wisdom on the art of business and entrepreneurship. His quotes on business are filled with practical advice and timeless strategies that can be applied to modern business practices.
In this article, we will explore some of the most inspiring and thought-provoking quotes on business from the ancient Indian statesman, Chanakya from the Chanakya Niti.
Business Quotes From Chanakya

1. “As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.” – Chanakya
2. “Learn from the mistakes of others, you can’t live long enough to make them all yourselves.” – Chanakya
3. “The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. If you can not keep the secret with you, do not expect that others will keep it. It will destroy you.” – Chanakya
4. “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.” – Chanakya
5. “Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness.” – Chanakya
6. “You should be shameless when it comes to learning something or dealing in business.” – Chanakya
7. “If you are looking for knowledge, then give up the hope of finding comfort.” – Chanakya
8. :”A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first.” – Chanakya

9. “The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.”
– Chanakya
10. “Once you start working on something, don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.” – Chanakya
11. “It is silly to counsel the fool and to be in the company of an unhappy person.” – Chanakya
12. Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions – Why am I doing it, what the results might be and will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead.” – Chanakya
13. “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.” – Chanakya
14. “A human being should strive for four things in life — dharma (duty), Artha (money), kama (pleasure), and moksha (salvation). A person who hasn’t striven for even one of these things has wasted life.” – Chanakya On Business

15. “It is better to die than to preserve this life by incurring disgrace. The loss of life causes but a moment’s grief, but disgrace brings grief every day of one’s life.” – Chanakya
16. “The position of the person is not important, the impact counts.” – Chanakya
17. “Do not opt for instant gratification, success comes step by step.” – Chanakya
18. “Drop by drop, a pitcher gets filled. Similarly, little by little, collection of money, learning and good acts become great treasures.” – Chanakya
19. “An elephant is a giant in size but a small goad keeps it under control. A small lamp destroys a huge amount of darkness. A mountain can be broken down with repeated blows of a hammer. Are a goad, a lamp or a hammer any match to the elephant, darkness and mountain in size, respectively?” – Chanakya
20. “Let the bygones not worry you and don’t fear the future. The wise ones concentrate on making good use of the present.” – Chanakya
21. “Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.” – Chanakya
22. “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.” – Chanakya

23. “No one can a powerful mind.” – Chanakya
24. “The king who goes on the illegal path and doesn’t care to the pains and problems of his citizens, he will be destroyed by his own selfishness. In the same way, a man who does not care for his society dies.” – Chanakya
25. “Never settle for anything less than what you deserve. It is not pride, it is self-respect.” – Chanakya
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