6 Quotes by Kautilya

for in the absence of a magistrate (dandadharabhave), the strong will swallow the weak; but under his protection, the weak resist the strong.

Just as it is impossible to know when a swimming fish is drinking water, so it is impossible to find out when a government servant is stealing money

Every neighbouring state is an enemy and the enemy’s enemy is a friend.

The arrow shot by the archer may or may not kill a single person. But stratagems devised by wise men can kill even babes in the womb.

Just as it is impossible to know when a swimming fish is drinking water, so it is impossible to find out when a government servant is stealing money.

Dharma is law in its widest sense – spiritual, moral, ethical and temporal. Every individual, whether the ruler or the ruled, is governed by his or her own dharma. To the extent that society respected dharma, society protected itself; to the extent society offended it, society undermined.