In adversity, we know our true friends

आतुरे व्यसने प्राप्ते
दुर्भिक्षे शत्रुसङ्कटे ।
राजद्वारे श्मशाने च
यस्तिष्ठति स बान्धवः ॥

- चाणक्यनीतिः

When you are suffering from a rare disease (or addiction), when in times of natural calamity, when you are afraid of your enemy, when you are at the doorstep of the king (to discuss your problems) or in a graveyard (when someone close to you dies), whoever stands by you is a true kinsman.

In prosperity, our friends know us.
In adversity, we know our friends.
It is prosperity that gives us friends, adversity that proves them.

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To give is divine

रविश्चन्द्रो घनाः वृक्षाः
नदी गावश्च सज्जनाः ।
एते परोपकाराय
युगे दैवेन निर्मिताः ॥

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

Life lived for others is a life worthwhile.
The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.

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Make your guests feel at home

बालो वा यदि वा वृद्धो
युवा वा गृहमागतः ।
तस्य पूजा विधातव्या
सर्वस्याभ्यागतो गुरुः ॥

- हितोपदेशः

Whether he's is a child, an old person or a young man, whoever comes to your house should be received with respect. A guest deserves respect by everyone.

Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were.

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Learn as if you were to live forever

अजरामरवत्प्राज्ञो
विद्यामर्थञ्च चिन्तयेत् ।
गृहीत इव केशेषु
मृत्युना धर्ममाचरेत् ॥

- हितोपदेशः

A wise person should pursue knowledge and wealth as if he was to live young forever. He should practice moral principles as if death has grabbed him by his hair.

Learn as if you were to live forever.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow.

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A beggar's wallet is never full

तृणं लघु तृणात्तूलम्
तूलादपि च याचकः ।
वायुना किं न नीतोऽसौ
मामयं प्रार्थयेदिति ॥

- चाणक्यनीतिः

Grass is light. Cotton is lighter than a blade of grass. A beggar is in fact even lighter (inferior) compared to cotton. Why then is he still not carried away by the wind? It is because he is so shameless that he does not hesitate to beg money even from the wind.

A beggar's wallet is never full.
Don't be misled by the tears of a beggar.
When it rains porridge, the beggar has no spoon.

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Nothing but fame, lasts forever

चलं वित्तं चलं चित्तम्
चले जीवितयौवने ।
चलाचलमिदं सर्वम्
कीर्तिर्यस्य स जीवति ॥

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.

Nothing but fame, lasts forever.

See also
Everyone dies, but not everyone really lives

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Self-respect knows no considerations

क्षुत्क्षामोऽपि जराकृशोऽपि शिथिलप्रायोऽपि कष्टां दशाम्
आपन्नोऽपि विपन्नधीधृतिरपि प्राणेषु गच्छत्स्वपि ।
मत्तेभेन्द्रविभिन्नकुम्भपिशितग्रासैकबद्धस्पृहः
किं जीर्णं तृणमत्ति मानमहतामग्रेसरः केसरी ॥

- भर्तृहरेः नीतिशतकम्

Though it is hungry for food, weakened by old age, going through difficulties, suffering from illness and senility, struggling between life and death, a lion always desires to swallow fresh meat from the forehead of a mighty elephant. How should a lion, the mightiest of all creatures with great self-respect, feed upon shriveled grass?

Self-respect knows no considerations.
Self respect is the cornerstone of all virtue.

See also
Self respect is the fruit of discipline

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Education is not just going to school

सुखार्थी त्यजते विद्याम्
विद्यार्थी त्यजते सुखम् ।
सुखार्थिनः कुतो विद्या
कुतो विद्यार्थिनः सुखम् ॥

One who delights in material wealth sacrifices education.
One who desires to gain knowledge gives up luxuries.
How can someone seeking lavish life gain knowledge?
How can someone seeking knowledge lead a luxurious life?

Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

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