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The king shall singly deliberate over secret matters; for ministers have their own ministers, and these latter some of their own; this kind of successive line of ministers tends to the disclosure of counsels.
Chanakya
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Smart leaders make decisions privately, as too many advisors can lead to leaks and betrayals.

This quote by Chanakya emphasizes the importance of discretion and careful decision-making in leadership. It highlights that when too many people are involved in a sensitive matter, the chances of information being leaked or distorted increase significantly. A wise leader should therefore keep critical deliberations confined to themselves to maintain secrecy and integrity in their decision-making process.

Themes

LeadershipDiscretionDecision MakingSecrecyCounsel

In practice

Example use cases

During a leadership workshop, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of maintaining confidentiality in decision-making.

More from Chanakya

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.
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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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