Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.
ChanakyaRead
Rain which falls upon the sea is useless; so is food for one who is satiated; in vain is a gift for one who is wealthy; and a burning lamp during the daytime is useless.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that certain gifts or resources lose their value when they are not needed.
Chanakya's quote illustrates the futility of offering things to those who do not require them. Just as rain on the sea has no impact, food for someone who is already full has no purpose, and similarly, a lamp during the day serves no function. The essence of valuing resources lies in their relevance to the recipient's situation.
Themes
ValueResourcesGratitudeAppreciationNeed
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in discussions about effective charity and giving.
More from Chanakya
All quotes →Let not a single day pass without your learning a verse, half a verse, or a fourth of it, or even one letter of it; nor without attending to charity, study and other pious activity.
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The life of an uneducated man is as useless as the tail of a dog which neither covers its rear end, nor protects it from the bites of insects.
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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.
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Whoever imposes severe punishment becomes repulsive to the people; while he who awards mild punishment becomes contemptible. But whoever imposes punishment as deserved becomes respectable.
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One whose knowledge is confined to books and whose wealth is in the possession of others, can use neither his knowledge nor wealth when the need for them arises.
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