“Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.” — Chanakya

If one has a good disposition, what other virtue is needed? If a man has fame, what is the value of other ornamentation?

Do not be very upright in your dealings for you would see by going to the forest that straight trees are cut down while crooked ones are left standing.

As a single withered tree, if set aflame, causes a whole forest to burn, so does a rascal son destroy a whole family.

Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.