A man is great by deeds, not by birth. |
Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends. |
God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple. |
The wise man should restrain his senses like the crane and accomplish his purpose with due knowledge of his place, time and ability. |
We should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxious about the future; men of discernment deal only with the present moment. |
Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution. |
Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous. |
If one has a good disposition, what other virtue is needed? If a man has fame, what is the value of other ornamentation? |
A good wife is one who serves her husband in the morning like a mother does, loves him in the day like a sister does and pleases him like a prostitute in the night. |
The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction. |
There is poison in the fang of the serpent, in the mouth of the fly and in the sting of a scorpion; but the wicked man is saturated with it. |
O wise man! Give your wealth only to the worthy and never to others. The water of the sea received by the clouds is always sweet. |
Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness. |
The happiness and peace attained by those satisfied by the nectar of spiritual tranquillity is not attained by greedy persons restlessly moving here and there. |
As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it. |
There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth. |
Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and of a compassionate heart are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform. |
He who lives in our mind is near though he may actually be far away; but he who is not in our heart is far though he may really be nearby. |
A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first. |
The serpent, the king, the tiger, the stinging wasp, the small child, the dog owned by other people, and the fool: these seven ought not to be awakened from sleep. |