Bhartrhari Quotes

Trees bend low with ripened fruit; clouds hang down with gentle rain; noble people bow graciously. This is the way of generous things.

The moth unwitting rushes on the fire, Through ignorance the fish devours the bait, We men know well the foes that lie in wait, Yet cannot shun the meshes of desire.

Neither rings, bright chains, nor bracelets, perfumes, flowers, nor well-trimmed hair, Grace a man like polished language, th' only jewel he should wear.

Knowledge is wonderful and truth serene But man in their service bleeds.

There is no medicine to cure a fool!

A good man may fall, but he falls like a ball [and rebounds]; the ignoble man falls like a lump of clay.

Even the severed branch grows again, and the sunken moon returns: wise men who ponder this are not troubled in adversity.

Three courses open lie to wealth, to give, enjoy, or lose, Who shrinketh from the former two, perforce the third doth choose.

Idleness is a great enemy to mankind. There is no friend like energy, for, if you cultivate that, it will never fail.

Kindness can turn the bad man's heart, and fools convert to wise, Make poison into nectar-juice, and friends of enemies.

The pearl on my beloved's neck, Afflicted sore the oyster!

Fate's sentence written on the brow no hand can e'er efface.

I have not wasted life, but life hath wasted me.

Man is but a beast without it: such a glorious god is Learning.

The constant man loses not his virtue in misfortune. A torch may point towards the ground, but its flame will still point upwards.

Let us keep a firm grip upon our money, for without it the whole assembly of virtues are but as blades of grass.