नीतिशतकम्
Bhartrihari Nitishatakam
One hundred aphoristic verses on statecraft, ethics, and worldly wisdom contrasting the pandita and the murkha. Bhartrihari uses sharp wit and vivid natural imagery to distil centuries of Indian ethical reflection into pithy, memorable verse.
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Subhashitams
Subhashitams from this grantha
ajñaḥ sukhamārādhyaḥ sukhataram ārādhyate viśeṣajñaḥ | jñānalavadurvidagdhaṃ brahmāpi naraṃ na rañjayati ||
An ignorant person is easily convinced; an expert is even easier. But one possessing only a smattering of knowledge cannot be satisfied even by Brahma himself.
ālasyaṃ hi manuṣyāṇāṃ śarīrastho mahān ripuḥ | nāstyudyamasamo bandhuḥ kṛtvā yaṃ nāvasīdati ||
Laziness is the greatest enemy dwelling within the human body. There is no friend equal to diligent effort — one who pursues it never comes to grief.
vipadi dhairyamathābhyudaye kṣamā sadasi vākpaṭutā yudhi vikramaḥ | yaśasi cābhirucirvyasanaṃ śrutau prakṛtisiddhamidaṃ hi mahātmanām ||
Courage in adversity, forbearance in prosperity, eloquence in assembly, valour in battle, passion for fame, and devotion to learning — these are the natural endowments of great souls.
sampūrṇakumbho na karoti śabdaṃ ardho ghaṭo ghoṣamupaiti nūnam | vidvān kulīno na karoti garvaṃ guṇairvihīnā bahu jalpayanti ||
A fully-filled pot makes no noise; the half-filled one surely rattles loudly. The well-born scholar shows no pride — but those devoid of quality babble on and on.