चाणक्यनीतिः

kāmadhenguṇā vidyā
hyakāle phaladāyinī |
pravāse mātṛsadṛśī
vidyā guptaṃ dhanaṃ smṛtam ||

Knowledge possesses the qualities of Kamadhenu and yields fruit even in unexpected times. In foreign lands, it protects like a mother — knowledge is said to be hidden treasure.

ko hi bhāraḥ samarthānāṃ
kiṃ dūraṃ vyavasāyinām |
ko videśaḥ suvidyānāṃ
kaḥ paraḥ priyavādinām ||

What is heavy for the capable? What is distant for the industrious? What is foreign for the learned? Who is a stranger to those who speak sweetly?

rūpayauvanasampannā
viśālakulasambhavāḥ |
vidyāhīnā na śobhante
nirgandhāḥ kiṃśukā yathā ||

Though endowed with beauty and youth, and born in noble families, those without knowledge do not shine — like the kiṃśuka flower, bright in appearance but devoid of fragrance.

lālayet pañca varṣāṇi
daśa varṣāṇi tāḍayet |
prāpte tu ṣoḍaśe varṣe
putre mitravadācaret ||

Indulge a son for the first five years; discipline him for the next ten; but once he reaches sixteen, treat him as a friend.

nirviṣeṇāpi sarpeṇa 
kartavyā mahatī phaṇā |
viṣamastu na cāpyastu 
phaṇāṭopo bhayaṃkaraḥ ||

Even a non-poisonous snake should raise its hood fully. Whether or not it actually holds poison, the fearsome display is itself enough to strike terror.

viṣādapyamṛtaṃ grāhyaṃ 
bālādapi subhāṣitam |
amitrādapi sadvṛttaṃ 
amedhyādapi kāñcanam ||

Nectar should be accepted even if found in poison; a wise word even from a child; virtuous conduct even from an enemy; and gold even from filth.