Inspirational Quotes from Subhashita Manjari (Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs)

Inspirational Quotes by Subhashita Manjari

“I am alone and helpless. I am old and destite”. Such thoughts do not worry a lion even in its dreams.
—Subhashita Manjari

Like the fish in a snake-pond, the pure, though not committing any sin will perish by the sin of others due to their association with the wicked.
—Subhashita Manjari

Reactions to calamities should be considered well in advance. It is no good to start digging a well when the house is on fire.
—Subhashita Manjari

The destiny is never fair. The pollen smeared bees get to drink nectar from the lotus flowers. But the swans which share the same ecology have to live by eating moss and algae.
—Subhashita Manjari

There are only three ends of wealth-charity,
enjoyment or destruction. One who neither gives,
nor enjoys, leaves open only the third course for it.
—Subhashita Manjari

Oh Lord, please do fulfill this expectation that – In our lives whatever we give to others should be greater than whatever we borrow from others.
—Subhashita Manjari

The courage of a hero cannot be wiped off even though he is worried. Though (source of the flame) reversed, the flames do not point downwards.
—Subhashita Manjari

There is no parallel to the peace of mind that people get when they are content and happy. Just look at the other extreme, people who are greedy and dissatisfied are running from pillar to post in search of wealth.
—Subhashita Manjari

The fruits of an operation are determined by the efforts one puts in. When mind also follows the sincerity of the efforts. Even then, wise men give lot of thought before they start any new task.
—Subhashita Manjari

By doing good deeds all the time, the mind gets purified. Such a
pure mind devoid of any bad thoughts is like a temple in itself.
—Subhashita Manjari

One gains respect by donating wealth and not by accumulating it. Clouds which give water have a higher position and seas which accumulate water occupy a lower position.
—Subhashita Manjari

Hunger, Thirst, and desire are like man’s three wives. Until he is alive these three will never leave him or go else where. In comparison of the three, desire NEVER EVER leaves the man. Unlike hunger and thirst which disappear for some time after eating /drinking, desire is the thing which never disappears from man’s mind!.
—Subhashita Manjari

These are the only two who are free from anxiety and thereby enjoy the eternal bliss – the innocent jobless children and the ones who have gone beyond ‘Guna’s (i.e, those who are spiritually enlightened).
—Subhashita Manjari

Children are usually very fickle minded. Training them must be like training a new horse. Some times you have to scold them and some times you have to pamper them.
—Subhashita Manjari

On rising, the sun bestows prosperity on the lotus. The manifesting grace of a friend indeed is the result of prosperities.
—Subhashita Manjari

Diligence, audacity, courage, intelligence, strength and bravery -wherever these six qualities exist, there is divine assistance.
—Subhashita Manjari

The sun, the moon, huge trees, rivers, cows and virtuous people are created by the almighty for helping others.
—Subhashita Manjari

Bracelets do not adorn a person. Nor do pearl necklaces shining like the moon, or a cleansing bath; nor anointment of the body, nor flowers, nor decoration for the hair. It is cultured speech alone which embellishes a man. All other ornaments lose their glitter, only the jewel of speech ever remains the jewel of jewels.
—Subhashita Manjari

Knowledge is a friend when on journey.
Wife is a friend at home.
For the sick, medicine is a friend.
Dharma is a friend for the dead.
—Subhashita Manjari

The status of a learned person can never be compared with that of a king. A king is worshiped only in his kingdom, whereas a learned person is honored everywhere.
—Subhashita Manjari

Learning indeed is the highest beauty for a man. It is the wealth well concealed and protected. It is the cause of pleasures, fame and happiness, the preceptor of teachers, a friend while traveling in a foreign land and verily the highest deity. Learning, but not wealth is honored by the kinds. A person devoid of learning is a beast.
—Subhashita Manjari

It is said that hell is the place of intense pain and severe torture. But in reality, there is no pain (or torture) as intense as that of poverty, neither was there in past, nor will be in future.
—Subhashita Manjari

What can a wicked person do to someone who is equipped with the weapon of forgiveness? Fire fallen on a grassless land gets extinguished by itself.
—Subhashita Manjari

Untill you befriend a person, you have to be courteous and nice to him. Mind one’s demeanor. But once the friendship is earned, being courteous and nice amounts to deciet. We owe it to our friends to be frank and forthright. This clearnly indicates the difference between an acquintance and a friend.
—Subhashita Manjari

Forgiveness is a virtue of the learned. To err is human, to forgive divine.
—Subhashita Manjari
Topics: Forgiveness, Mistakes, Failures

The path of service is formidable.
It is difficult even for a yogi to follow.
If a man in service remains quiet, then he is called dumb.
If he is quick-witted, then he is described as loquacious.
If he stays close by, then he is taken to be audacious,
and if he maintains a distance, then is considered as shy.
If he is tolerant, then he is regarded as timid,
and if he is unable to bear indignities, then he is known as ill bred.
—Subhashita Manjari

Interests of one person should be sacrificed for the sake of a family.
Interests of one family should be sacrificed for the sake of a village.
Interests of one village should be sacrificed for the sake of a society.
All worldly interests should be sacrificed for the sake of self-realization.
—Subhashita Manjari

Grains collected by ants, honey accumulated by bees, and wealth collected by a greedy miser, all perish along with the source.
—Subhashita Manjari

A friend is tested in bad times, a warrior in the battlefield. A person’s humility is a test of his up bringing. A person’s character is tested when he needs money and does not have it.
—Subhashita Manjari

Past should not be repented for. Future should never be worried about. Wise men act by the present time.
—Subhashita Manjari

If the person at the peak of his wealth says ‘No No’ to the poor and needy person then be assured that in future that person will have to say ‘Give Give’!.
—Subhashita Manjari

One gets respect by good qualities, not by sitting on a high seat. Even though a crow is seated on top of a palace, it doesn’t become an eagle.
—Subhashita Manjari

A lioness having only one cub relaxes as she is assured that her cub will bring the hunt. But the donkey even if having ten children will have to carry her load herself.
—Subhashita Manjari

An unimportant person becomes important, as soon as he is employed by a prince (and) an important person becomes unimportant as soon as he is unemployed.
—Subhashita Manjari

Patience in adversity, magnanimity in ascendancy, eloquence in assembly, bravery in battle, aspiration for eminence and engrossment in the scriptures are the self-evident attributes of great men.
—Subhashita Manjari

Whether the philosophers praise him or criticize, whether wealth enters the house or goes away as it wishes, whether death is today itself or after an eon, great men never step a foot away from the path of justice.
—Subhashita Manjari

It may be possible to forcibly snatch a jewel from the midst of powerful jaws of a crocodile. It may also be possible to cross a raging sea swimming across its high-running violent waves. One may even wear a furious snake around his head as if it is a garland of flowers. But it is impossible to win over a conceited fool.
—Subhashita Manjari

Whom should I count as human beings? One who is an expert in giving advice (and not follow them himeself) or the one who lives and learns by his own experience. The choice is simple.
—Subhashita Manjari

Beauty decorates the personality of a man.
Good qualities ornament his beauty.
Knowledge embellishes his qualities.
Forgiveness adorns his knowledge.
—Subhashita Manjari

One well born, though insulted, does not hit back
in the same strain due to his inborn natural courtesy.
The sandal tree does not exude filth even to him who cuts it with an axe.
—Subhashita Manjari

Trees give fruits to assist others. Rivers flow to help others. Cows produce milk to feed others. In the same way, our own human body should also be employed for the assistance of others.
—Subhashita Manjari

People who are prejudiced often see no merit in sound logic and wise Sayings. A lotus that is used to harsh sun rays will not bloom even when showered with pleasant rays of moon.
—Subhashita Manjari

Even if it is not possible to follow the righteous path entirely, one should do it as much as he can. One who is in the righteous path, will never suffer.
—Subhashita Manjari

In this world every one wants to out do the other. It is a rat race going on every one’s mind. Every one will try to do the best of his abilities. Still, not every one will succeed. That is the way of nature.One must not be depressed at failure not overly joyed at success.
—Subhashita Manjari

They make shade for others and stand in the heat themselves. Even fruits are for the good of others: Trees are indeed like good men.
—Subhashita Manjari

A wise man should keep far away from an unpleasant person, from injuring others, from other’s views, from unrighteous conduct and from untruth.
—Subhashita Manjari

As soon as the words “I beg you. Please give me” are uttered, the five inherent divine qualities — intelligence, modesty, riches, countenance and reputation go away immediately.
—Subhashita Manjari

The oath taken by the wicked person is like the letters written on the water. In contrast, even the informal words uttered by the saintly person are like the letters imprinted on rocks.
—Subhashita Manjari

No one knows what will happen to whom tomorrow. Therefore, a wise man should do all of tomorrow’s tasks today.
—Subhashita Manjari

He who conquers himself conquers all. He wears equanimity as a coat of arms, proof against thieves and enemies.
—Subhashita Manjari

In the mind, speech and action, the great souls are same, but the wicked are different in mind, speech and action.
—Subhashita Manjari

What is a grain? It is the companionship of the virtuous.
What is grief? It is the company of fools.
What is loss? It is the dissipation of time.
What is prudence? It is devotion to virtue.
What is valour? It is the conquest of the senses.
Who is the beloved wife? One who is devoted to her husband.
What is wealth? It is knowledge.
What is happiness? It is to remain settled in one’s own country.
What is rulership? It is to command obedience.
—Subhashita Manjari

The companionship of good people removes the inertia of one’s mind, nurtures truth in the speech, enhances prestige, expiates the sins, comforts the conscience, spreads the name and fame in all directions. Say! what good is there which the company of devout does not bring to a man.
—Subhashita Manjari

Oil in water, a secret confined to the treacherous, donation to the deserving even in a small measure; and knowledge in a wise person, expand by themselves because of inherent nature.
—Subhashita Manjari

Accumulating the drops of water one by one, the pot gets filled gradually. Similarly, one should acquire all the knowledge, dharma (virtuousness) and wealth with continuous effort.
—Subhashita Manjari

Before taking any action, whether good or bad, wise men should carefully ponder over its consequences. Or else, the result of an act done in haste keeps piercing the heart like an arrow even after death.
—Subhashita Manjari

If anyone would know how close to death they are, they would not even be interested in eating food, let alone doing any harm to anyone. But bad things are done in this world mostly because they think they will live forever.
—Subhashita Manjari

A restless person (person wandering behind earthly pleasures) will not be happy anywhere in the world – be it in forest or among people. While leaving in society, he wants solitude, and while in the forest he wants company.
—Subhashita Manjari

Developing good character which is characterized by a good behavior is our first and the most important duty. So one should develop, preserve and observe them greater than one’s life.
—Subhashita Manjari

Even if a teacher teaches a student just one letter in an alphabet the student is indebted to the teacher. there is no object in the world that the student can give the teacher to repay his debt.
—Subhashita Manjari

One’s knowledge is his wealth when in a foreign country.
One’s intelligence is his wealth when in adversity.
One’s righteousness is his wealth in the netherworld.
One’s character is a wealth everywhere and at all times.
—Subhashita Manjari

A mountain is big. Bigger than the mountain is the ocean. The sky is bigger than the ocean. The universe is bigger than the sky. Greed is even bigger than the universe.
—Subhashita Manjari

It may be possible to extract oil even by squeezing sand. It may also be possible to quench thirst by drinking water from a mirage. One may even find horns of a rabbit possibly while travelling. But it is impossible to win over a conceited fool.
—Subhashita Manjari

An enemy, though powerful can be easily uprooted by a patient person, if he is shaken by the wind of disaffection and if his supporters are gradually estranged, like a tree which, though big, can be easily uprooted shaken by the wind and its mass of roots gradually giving way.
—Subhashita Manjari

If you look at people less fortunate, less wealthy than you – you will not become richer. But if you keep looking at people wealthier than you and try to imitate them, you will definitely become poorer.
—Subhashita Manjari

Useless is the rain that precipitates into seas.
Useless is the food that is fed to a satisfied person.
Useless is the money that is given to an able person.
Useless is the lamp that is lighted during the day time.
—Subhashita Manjari

One should speak pleasant truth. One should not (directly) say truth if it is harsh, neither should one cook up pleasing words that are not true. This is an eternal principle.
—Subhashita Manjari

Base men do not undertake any work apprehending obstacles. Mediocres make a start, but cease working when they encounter hindrances. The men of excellence, however, after commencing a job do not give up despite of recurrence of impediments.
—Subhashita Manjari

Noble men always are eager to help others. It is in their nature to do so. But wicked people cannot stand this day or night. Their heart burns with pain everytime they see a noble man prosper.
—Subhashita Manjari

It is very very difficult to lift the rock till the peak of the mountain. But it’s very very easy to get the same rock from the peak to the mountain foot. In the same way it is very difficult task to induce noble thoughts in to a person’s mind and to make him/her an good individual. But it’s far more simple to induce bad habits in a person.
—Subhashita Manjari

The company of the distinguished, fetches respect even to the unworthy. Because of its association with flowers (in a garland), the thread is also worn on head.
—Subhashita Manjari

The path shown by uncontrolled senses always leads to trouble. The right path is always having control over one’s senses. Now that you know, you can chose which one to follow.
—Subhashita Manjari

Whoever is wealthy, is the one who has friends.
Whoever is wealthy, is the one who has acquaintances (kith and kin).
Whoever is wealthy, is the man in this world!
Whoever is wealthy, is also a great scholar.
—Subhashita Manjari

You should be ambitious and achieve them. You should never start with a small aim. Your aim determines the nature of your accomplishments. If you are not ambitious enough, you shall not get enough to eat.
—Subhashita Manjari

Truth is my mother, knowledge is my father,
‘Dharma’ is my brother, Mercifulness is my friend,
Calmness(peacefulness) is my wife and forgiveness my son.
These six are my kith and keens.
—Subhashita Manjari

How can one attain education, if he is lazy?
How can one acquire wealth, if he is uneducated?
How can one make friends, if he is not wealthy?
How can a person without friends, be happy?
—Subhashita Manjari

He restrains his friend from committing sins, and induces him to do good deeds. He conceals the unseemly secrets of a friend, projecting only his good qualities. He does not desert his friend in difficulties, but gives timely assistance. Saints describe these as the characteristics of a true friend.
—Subhashita Manjari

Being a scholar and being a king are never ever comparable. A king is worshipped in his own country whereas a scholar is respected everywhere.
—Subhashita Manjari

One who is not interested in literature, music and arts is veritably an animal without tail or horns. Other animals are indeed fortunate, that he lives without eating grass.
—Subhashita Manjari

Consideration like “he is mine or he is another’s” occur only to the narrow minded persons. To the broad-minded persons the whole world is a family.
—Subhashita Manjari

A fool has five characteristic qualities; vanity, bad-mouthing, anger, stubbornness, lack of respect for others’ opinions.
—Subhashita Manjari

When I was ignorant, I was blinded by pride like an intoxicated elephant; my mind was elated and I used to think myself to be all-knowing. However, by keeping company with the wise, my pride, like fever, was humbled as I gradually realized that I am an idiot.
—Subhashita Manjari

A true friend gives you so much of confidence that cannot be equaled to the confidence given by a mother, wife, sister, brother, or even his own conscience. That is how strong a true friendship is.
—Subhashita Manjari

Even good people get themselves corrupted by their
close association with the undesirable. Water which
is sweet and cool becomes hot associated with fire.
—Subhashita Manjari

Wealth is transient, Mind is unstable. Youth and life are temporary. Everything in this world is short-lived, but the one who has acquired fame lives forever.
—Subhashita Manjari

One should avoid wicked people even if they are adorned with the quality of education. Isn’t a snake decorated with jewels dreadful?
—Subhashita Manjari

Life in a bad village, serving a wicked boss, sticking to a bland diet, ill-tempered wife with an angry face, a foolish half-witted son, a widowed daughter-these situations destroy (burn) a person without the need of any fire.
—Subhashita Manjari

A person with good qualities serves good purpose even if he gets angry. Milk which is naturally sweet becomes more delicious when boiled.
—Subhashita Manjari

Hard work and light food – this is the readily available medicine for any disease. If you do these daily, you shall not be afraid of any ailment.
—Subhashita Manjari

Even insignificant things can be grouped together and can effectively be used to accomplish great tasks. A rope made of hay sticks controls a powerful elephant by firmly binding it.
—Subhashita Manjari

A King desiring to attack (an enemy) should first make his soldiers contented (by good pay and just treatment) and having injured (weakened) the enemy by strategy should himself then advance to attack.
—Subhashita Manjari

There is no kin equivalent to knowledge.
There is no friend equivalent to knowledge.
There is no wealth equivalent to knowledge.
There is no happiness equivalent to knowledge.
—Subhashita Manjari

Milk gave its qualities such as sweetness to the water that came to it. The water having observed the suffering of milk when boiled burnt itself in fire. The milk in turn got ready to go to fire on seeing the trouble of his friend. However when united with its friedn water, it colled down. Like this is the friendship of the noble.
—Subhashita Manjari

The gods were not happy with the precious gems obtained from the milky ocean. They were not afraid of the deadly poison. They did not rest until they obtained the nectar of immortality. In fact, the steadfast do not relax without accomplishing the determined task.
—Subhashita Manjari

One who travels abroad and serves scholars is broad-minded. His intellectual ability is extensive just like a drop of oil on water which expands and covers the surface completely.
—Subhashita Manjari

A man’s ornament is his form. The ornament of beauty is virtue. Virtue’s ornament is knowledge. Of knowledge the ornament is forgiveness.
—Subhashita Manjari

There is no alphabet from which a holy word (mantra)
can not be made. There is no herb from which a medicine
can not be made. There is no person who is incapable.
What is rare is the one who can organize.
—Subhashita Manjari

So to say every being in this world lives for its own cause. Nothing great about it. That person who lives his life helping others is truly said to have lives his life.
—Subhashita Manjari

All good qualities are possessed by a scholar.
Only few bad habits constitute a fool’s character.
That’s why, for every thousand fools, you can witness one scholar.
—Subhashita Manjari

Those who are blinded by jelousy, cannot appreciate the good qualities in others, even if he is a scholar. The knowledge of such people is as useless as bathing an elephant, which rejoices wallowing in the mud.
—Subhashita Manjari

Unless an enemy completely destroyed, one can not rule his kingdom peacefully. Only when flying dust is drenched with rain, brought down to earth and made into damp mud can water stay still within it.
—Subhashita Manjari

Not even a single moment of life can be bought with all the gold and jewels on earth. Therefore, one should utilize every single moment, failing which leads to an irremediable disaster. Bad days follow good times and similarly, happy days always follow the miserable ones. Everyday can never be a bad day, nor can one derive happiness everyday.
—Subhashita Manjari

Wealth which does not help the needy, and a mind which is proud without meditation and a body which moves not towards a holy place (in pilgrimage) come to grief at the end.
—Subhashita Manjari

A successful person is the one who really lives.
Likewise, a famous person too really lives.
A infamous loser though alive, is no better than the dead.
—Subhashita Manjari

Shadow of clouds, friendship with a wicked person, ground near the ocean indeed disappear shortly, similarly as youth and wealth.
—Subhashita Manjari

In times of prosperity, the minds of great people are as soft as gentle water lilies, whereas in adversity when going gets tough, they become as hard as a huge mass of solid rock.
—Subhashita Manjari

This is mine, that belongs to others, this is how narrow-minded people think. Broad minded people consider this whole world to be one family.
—Subhashita Manjari

Good fortune follows honesty.
Fame follows sacrifice.
Education follows practice.
Intelligence follows hard work.
—Subhashita Manjari

When you are sad, look at people who are more unfortunate than you. When you are happy, don’t get carried away. Look at people who are more happier and strive to achieve that level of happiness. The key is not to give in to the emotion – happiness or despair. Just like you never surrender to enemies.
—Subhashita Manjari

One should never lead a team because everyone gets equal share on success, but the leader is held responsible in case of any failure.
—Subhashita Manjari

Money which is gained by hurting others, or by deviating from righteous principles, or by self insult (for example, by begging), does not bring any happiness. (Such money is of no use).
—Subhashita Manjari

One should try to develop qualities/skills in him
rather than making noise. A cow cannot be sold by
ringing a bell in her neck if it cannot be milked.
—Subhashita Manjari

A person under the control of the devil named greed behaves wierd. He bows before any one. He scolds, praises, cries before and laughs in front of any one. He is only worried about his greed – not his respect.
—Subhashita Manjari

A stream of tasteful water, having flown into the sea, becomes saline and thus undrinkable. For this simple reason, a wise man should never associate with one of wicked and impure soul.
—Subhashita Manjari

One in hundreds is a brave person.
One In Thousands Is A Scholar.
A Great Orator Is One In Ten Thousands.
One Can Hardly Find A Good Listener.
—Subhashita Manjari

A true gem shines steadfastly by itself and is not affected by external factors, unlike a lamp which needs oil to burn and can be snuffed out by wind and which is discarded during day time, as unnecessary. So are the good men unaffected by prosperity or adversity.
—Subhashita Manjari

A servant has nothing to gain if he impresses the king by his sevice. The king is not going to give him anything more than his salary. Even if the clouds rain all day and night, the Phalasha (Curcuma Zedoaria) plant is going to have only 3 leaves.
—Subhashita Manjari

It is said that when the world ends, even the moutains start moving due to the force of the wind. But even when such a thing happens, the mental state of the brave does not waver since it is very clear. Clarity in thoughts gives you the strength to withstand anything.
—Subhashita Manjari

Anger is foremost enemy of humankind, which inherently resides within oneself only to destroy him, just like fire which is enkindled by a piece of wood ends up burning the piece.
—Subhashita Manjari

When rituals or any task is performed under the fear of fate or due to the greed will never pay off. It is as useless as trying to create fire from ash.
—Subhashita Manjari

Knowledge is certainly a man’s greatest beauty. It is a safe and hidden treasure. It provides prosperity, fame and happiness. Knowledge is the guru of all gurus. It acts as one’s friend in a foreign country. Knowledge is the Supreme God. It is the knowledge, not wealth, which is adored by kings. Without knowledge one remains as animal.
—Subhashita Manjari

A greedy person can be convinced by use of wealth (by giving him bribe). Hot tempered person can be convinced by being polite with him. A fool can be convinced by making him feel that you are acting as he wants. A wise person can be convinced by telling him the gist of the matter.
—Subhashita Manjari

Any remainder of debt, fire and enemy grow rapidly again and again, hence no remainder should be maintained.
—Subhashita Manjari

If a dog finds a dusty piece of bone devoid of any flesh containing a little sinew, it feels happy even if that piece does not quench its hunger. On the other hand, a lion chooses not to attack a nearby jackal and hunts only for a mighty elephant. Everyone hungers for a fruit which befits his abilities though it demands extra effort.
—Subhashita Manjari

There is strength in numbers and unity. That is the way you can kill an enemy. Just look at the collection of straws that make the roof of the hut. They protect us from even the heavy rains, alone none of those straws can do the same.
—Subhashita Manjari

Even fate cannot touch him whose heart is filled with compassion, whose words always reflect the truth and whose body is always meant to help others.
—Subhashita Manjari

Good conduct is the highest mortality, it is the highest penance and it is the highest knowledge. What cannot be achieved through good conduct?
—Subhashita Manjari

Fire, Loan and enemy traces, even if they remain in small amount, they grow back repeatedlyHence finish them without leaving a trace.
—Subhashita Manjari

Foolish is he, who though prosperous does not help others;
who though poor is generous; and who though ignorant is proud and
swollen.
—Subhashita Manjari

One becomes a fool by not questioning, but wisdom comes up by deep thinking. An empty vessel makes noise, but not a filled one.
—Subhashita Manjari

Be it a trivial job or a very serious one — one must be focussed on getting it done well. It is not always wise to be desireless in everything.If a potter does not make sure that the wheel is turning always, mud will neither turn into a pot or a plate automatically.
—Subhashita Manjari

A man of culture does not speak unpleasantly though burnt by the burning coals of displeasing talk. Does the fragrant aloe wood abandon its natural fragrance when being burnt?
—Subhashita Manjari

By breaking a pot, by tearing a cloth, by riding on a donkey, by hook or by crook does one desperately gain fame.
—Subhashita Manjari

The brave people do not like being praised in front of them.
They display their valor not by words but by doing difficult deeds.
—Subhashita Manjari

Greed is the root cause of all sins. Greed is the cause of all problems that one faces. Greed fuels the growth of enemies. Excessive greed destroys one’s life.
—Subhashita Manjari

Wanting to reform the wicked with nectar-sweet advice, is like trying to control an elephant with the pith of a lotus-stem, or cutting a diamond with delicate petals of the Shireesh flower, or sweetening the salty ocean with a drop of honey.
—Subhashita Manjari

One who influences (inspires, motivates and contributes to) the lives of his friends and relatives is the only one whose life is worthwhile. Who in this world lives without any selfish motives?
—Subhashita Manjari