Chanakya maxim

Chanakya Pandit,又名 Kauṭilya 或 Vishnu Gupta,是古老的 Takshashila 大學的導師。他活於公元前 320 年左右,在古印度文化中廣為人知,是一位哲學家,皇室顧問和經濟學家。

我 (作者) 僅以謙虛的心向全能的主維施紐 (三界的主人) 鞠躬,我開始誦讀從各類經文摘選出的政治倫理(niti)格言。
Humbly bowing down before the almighty Lord Sri Vishnu, the Lord of the three worlds, I recite maxims of the science of political ethics (niti) selected from the various sastras.

誰研習這些出自經典的格言將獲取到最不同凡響的有關責任原則的知識,並且認識什麼應該遵循,什麼不應該遵循,什麼是好,什麼是壞,什麼最優秀卓越。
That man who by the study of these maxims from the satras acquires a knowledge of the most celebrated principles of duty, and understands what ought and what ought not to be followed, and what is good and what is bad, is most excellent.

花的香氣只會隨著風吹的方向傳送,但一個人的善良品質卻能夠散發到四方。
The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.

書籍對愚人的用途,猶如鏡子對盲人一樣。
Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.
隱喻:盲人看不見到鏡內的東西 (自己);同樣,愚蠢的人也不能從書中看到甚麼。

友誼背後總有某些私利。沒有不從自身利益出發的友誼。這是一個痛苦的事實。
There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.

人渴望進昇至神聖大殿,必須要有純潔言語、心念、感官及一顆慈悲為懷的心腸。
Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and of a compassionate heart are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform.
隱喻:要提升到神聖層面,便要成為仁者。

為了衰變的東西而放棄那些不衰變的東西的人,失去那些不衰變的東西; 並且無疑也失去那些衰變的東西。
He who gives up what is imperishable for that which perishable, loses that which is imperishable; and doubtlessly loses that which is perishable also.

一個人的偉大是因他的行事,非因他的出生。
a man is great by deeds, not by birth.

失去財富的人被他朋友、妻子、僕人及親屬所遺棄; 然而,當他重獲財富時,那些遺棄他的人又會回到他身邊。 因此財富肯定是最好的親屬。
He who loses his money is forsaken by his friends, his wife, his servants and his relations; yet when he regains his riches those who have forsaken him come back to him. Hence wealth is certainly the best of relations.

不要信任河流、手持武器的人、有爪或角的野獸、女人和王室成員。
Do not put your trust in rivers, men who carry weapons, beasts with claws or horns, women, and members of a royal family.

即使表面通曉一切,人如果沒贊助者也會受苦; 寶石雖然珍貴,也需要鑲金。
Even one who by his qualities appears to be all knowing suffers without patronage; the gem, though precious, requires a gold setting.

柔情的話讓所有生物喜悅; 因此,我們應該說大眾喜歡的話,因為動聽的話並不缺乏。
All the creatures are pleased by loving words; and therefore we should address words that are pleasing to all, for there is no lack of sweet words.

在你開始工作之前,總是問自己三個問題 - 為什麼我這樣做,結果可能是什麼,我會成功嗎? 只有當你深思熟慮並找到滿意的答案時,才能繼續。
Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead.

最初的五年,待你的孩子如寵兒。 接下來五年,責罵他們。 當他們十六歲時,把他們當作朋友對待。 你長大的孩子是你最好的朋友。
Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends.

教育是最好的朋友。 受過良好教育的人到處受到尊重。 教育擊敗美麗與青春。
Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.

一旦你開始做某事,不要害怕失敗,不要放棄它。 真誠工作的人是最幸福的。
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.

蛇、國王、老虎、刺人的黃蜂、小孩及他人的狗,與及笨蛋:這七位人不應該從睡夢中喚醒來。
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.

沒有苦行比起一個平衡心意,沒有快樂比起自足; 沒有疾病比起貪婪,沒有美德比起憐憫。
There is no austerity equal to a balanced mind, and there is no happiness equal to contentment; there is no disease like covetousness, and no virtue like mercy.
平衡心是最高苦行、自足是最高快樂、貪婪是最大疾病、慈悲是最大美德。

如果一個人有良好性格,還需要什麼其他美德? 如果一個人有名望,其他裝飾又有何價值?
If one has a good disposition, what other virtue is needed? If a man has fame, what is the value of other ornamentation?

睿智的人! 財富只施給值得的人,莫施他人。 雲朵接收的海水總是甜的。
O wise man! Give your wealth only to the worthy and never to others. The water of the sea received by the clouds is always sweet.

局限於書本上知識的人,與及財富被他人佔有著的人,當有需要用到這些時,既不能夠使用其知識,也不能運用其財富。
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.

地球在真理之力支持下; 真理之力令太陽照耀、風吹動; 事實上所有事情都依賴於真理。
The earth is supported by the power of truth; it is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth.

我們不應為過去煩惱,也不應對未來焦慮; 有洞察力的人只當下處事。
We should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxious about the future; men of discernment deal only with the present moment.

時間成就了人,也摧毀了他們。
Time perfects men as well as destroys them.

不要透露你的做事想法,但可透過智慧議事會,堅守秘密,決心將之付諸行動,
Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution

智者該像白鶴一樣克制感官,並在適當了解天時、地利及能力情形下,成就他的目的。
The wise man should restrain his senses like the crane and accomplish his purpose with due knowledge of his place, time and ability

不要讓渡過的每天,沒有學習一節經文、半節經文、或四分一節經文,甚至經文中一字,也不要讓渡過的每天沒有參予慈善活動、學習研究、和其他虔誠活動。
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.

對強者來說,有什麼是太沉重?對那些付出努力的人來說,哪一處地方是太遙遠?對有真正學習的人來說,哪個國家是陌生?對說話動聽的人來說,誰會對他有敵意?
What is too heavy for the strong and what place is too distant for thosewho put forth effort? What country is foreign to a man of true learning?Who can be inimical to one who speaks pleasingly?

婆羅門的力量在於他的學識,國王的力量在於他的軍隊,商賈的力量在於他的財富,而戌陀的力量在於他的服務態度。
A brahmana's strength is in his learning, a king's strength is in his army, a vaishya's strength is in his wealth and a shudra's strength is in his attitude of service.

在笨人不受尊重、糧儲存得很好,夫妻不吵架的地方,財富女神(拉克希米 )會不請自來。
Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, comes of Her own accord where foolsare not respected, grain is well stored up, and the husband and wife do not quarrel.

以下五事:壽命、工作種類、財富、學識和死亡時間,是當人在母胎時決定了的。
These five: the life-span, the type of work, wealth, learning and the time of one's death are determined while one is in the womb.

學問是通過實踐得以保存;家聲通過良行得以維持;受敬仰者因他優秀品質被供認;而憤怒是從眼中看到。
Learning is retained through putting into practice; family prestige is maintained through good behaviour; a respectable person is recognised by his excellent qualities; and anger is seen in the eyes.

懶惰會荒廢學業;錢財付託他人會招損失;農夫疏散播種會蒙受損益;軍隊會因失去指揮官而迷失方向。
Indolent application ruins study; money is lost when entrusted to others; a farmer who sows his seed sparsely is ruined; and an army is lost for want of a commander.

樂善好施終止貧困;正義行為終止苦難;謹慎言行終止無知;仔細觀察終止恐慌。
Charity puts an end to poverty; righteous conduct to misery; discretion to ignorance; and scrutiny to fear.

以順從平息一位強人,以抗衡平息一個惡人,以禮貌或武力平息一個與你能力相當的人。
Conciliate a strong man by submission, a wicked man by opposition, and the one whose power is equal to yours by politeness or force.

在錢銀上、求知上、進食上及營商上除掉害羞的人會變得快樂。
He who gives up shyness in monetary dealings, in acquiring knowledge, in eating and in business, becomes happy.

再三考慮以下幾點:正確的時間,正確的朋友,正確的地方,正確的收入方式,正確的消費方式,從中這些裡面,你取得你的力量。
Consider again and again the following: the right time, the right friends, the right place, the right means of income, the right ways of spending, and from whom you derive your power.

就如金塊可透過擦、切、燒和敲四種方式來測試,因此人該透過以下四種方法測試:他的棄捨(不依戀)、行為、品質和行動。
As gold is tested in four ways by rubbing, cutting, heating and beating, so a man should be tested by these four things: his renunciation, his conduct, his qualities and his actions.

雙手乾淨的人不喜歡任公職;一無所求的人不注重身體打扮;只受部分教育的人說話不會動聽;而坦誠說話的人不可能是騙子。
He whose hands are clean does not like to hold an office; he who desires nothing cares not for bodily decorations; he who is only partially educated cannot speak agreeably; and he who speaks out plainly cannot be a deceiver.

沒有疾病(如此具破壞性)如色慾、沒有敵人如迷戀、沒有火如憤怒、沒有快樂如靈性知識。
There is no disease (so destructive) as lust; no enemy like infatuation; no fire like wrath; and no happiness like spiritual knowledge.

沒有水如雨水、沒有力量如自身力量、沒有光如目光、沒有財富比糧食更珍貴。
There is no water like rainwater; no strength like one's own; no light like that of the eyes; and no wealth more dear than food grain.

人透過聆聽理解永恆法則、惡性消失、獲取知識及從物質束縛中獲得解脫。
By means of hearing one understands dharma, malignity vanishes, knowledge is acquired, and liberation from material bondage is gained.

一如天意,人的智慧、人的活動也受天意控制;透過天意,人在協助者包圍中。
As is the desire of Providence, so functions one's intellect; one's activities are also controlled by Providence; and by the will Providence one is surrounded by helpers.

對消化不良,水的藥物;當食物消化得很,水令人精神振奮;在晚餐中飲,水如甘露;用餐後飲,水如毒藥。
Water is the medicine for indigestion; it is invigorating when the food that is eaten is well digested; it is like nectar when drunk in the middle of a dinner; and it is like poison when taken at the end of a meal.

透過消費開支,積聚得來的財富得以保存;猶如透過排出積水,清水得以保存一樣。
Accumulated wealth is saved by spending just as incoming fresh water is saved by letting out stagnant water.

親手為神像穿一個花環;親手為主磨檀香木漿;以及親手抄手寫經文 - 人便得到相等於因陀羅(天帝)富裕的祝福。
By preparing a garland for a Deity with one's own hand; by grinding sandal paste for the Lord with one's own hand; and by writing sacred texts with one's own hand — one becomes blessed with opulence equal to that of Indra.

人堅毅起來抵消了貧窮;保持衣服整潔抵消了它的舊;食物變壞可透過煮熱來抵消;良好的行為抵消了醜陋。
Poverty is set off by fortitude; shabby garments by keeping them clean; bad food by warming it; and ugliness by good behaviour.

欠缺財富的人(如果他有學識)並非貧困,而是確實富有;反之,缺乏學識的人在各方面都是貧困。
One destitute of wealth is not destitute, he is indeed rich (if he is learned); but the man devoid of learning is destitute in every way.

我們應該細心檢查我們踏出的地方(以確保沒有污穢物及昆蟲等生物);我們應該(用乾淨的布)喝濾過的水;我們應該只說有經典准許的那些說話;以及做那些經我們仔細思慮過的行為。
We should carefully scrutinise that place upon which we step (having it ascertained to be free from filth and living creatures like insects, etc.); we should drink water which has been filtered (through a clean cloth); we should speak only those words which have the sanction of the satras; and do that act which we have carefully considered.

He who desires sense gratification must give up all thoughts of acquiring knowledge; and he who seeks knowledge must not hope for sense gratification. How can he who seeks sense gratification acquire knowledge, and he who possesses knowledge enjoy mundane sense pleasure?
渴望感官享樂的人必須放棄一切獲取知識的想法;尋求知識的人不應該希望獲取感官享樂。尋求感官享樂的人如何取得知識,而擁有知識的人又如何享受世俗的感官快樂?

有什麼會令詩人失察(走漏眼)?有什麼活動女士無能為力?有什麼會令醉漢不喘氣?有什麼是烏鴉不吃的?
What is it that escapes the observation of poets? What is that act women are incapable of doing? What will drunken people not prate? What will not a crow eat?

是命運,它使乞丐成為國王,國王成為乞丐。是命運,他使富人變窮,窮人變富。
Fate makes a beggar a king and a king a beggar. He makes a rich man poor and a poor man rich.

慷慨、歡稱、勇氣和適當行為都不是獲取而來,而是與生俱來的品質。
Generosity, pleasing address, courage and propriety of conduct are not acquired, but are inbred qualities.

大象身體龐大,卻被 ankusha(象戟)控制:象戟如大象般龐大嗎? 點燃著的蠟燭消除黑暗:蠟燭如黑暗一樣廣闊嗎? 大山被霹靂擊裂:霹靂如山一樣巨大嗎? 不是,力量佔上者真正強大; 大塊體積中有什麼?
The elephant has a huge body but is controlled by the ankusha (goad): yet, is the goad as large as the elephant? A lighted candle banishes darkness: is the candle as vast as the darkness. A mountain is broken even by a thunderbolt: is the thunderbolt therefore as big as the mountain? No, he whose power prevails is really mighty; what is there in bulk?

那些在這世界快樂的人是:對他們親友慷慨的、善待陌生人的、對惡人反應平淡的、對善良熱愛的、精通與基層打交道、對有學識者坦率的、勇敢面對敵人的、對長者謙虛的,及對妻子嚴肅的。
Those men who are happy in this world, who are generous towards theirrelatives, kind to strangers, indifferent to the wicked, loving to the good, shrewd in their dealings with the base, frank with the learned, courageous with enemies, humble with elders and stern with the wife.

據說,有一次一位聖人被問到他的家庭,他如此回答:真理是我的母親,而我的父親是靈性知識,正義行為是我的兄弟,仁愛是我的朋友,心境平靜是我的妻子,寬恕是我的兒子:這六個是我的親屬。
(It is said that a sadhu, when asked about his family, replied thusly): truth is my mother, and my father is spiritual knowledge; righteous conduct is my brother, and mercy is my friend, inner peace is my wife, and forgiveness is my son: these six are my kinsmen.

一個把別人妻子視為自己母親、把不屬於自己的財富視為一片泥土,把眾生苦樂視為自己的苦樂的人-真實的從正確觀點看事物,他是一個真正的 pandit (學者)。
He who regards another's wife as his mother, the wealth that does not belong to him as a lump of mud, and the pleasure and pain of all other living beings as his own — truly sees things in the right perspective, and he is a true pandit.

人即使到了高齡仍然是個愚人,那他就是真的愚人,正如 Indra-Varuna 果無論多熟都不會變美一樣。
The man who remains a fool even in advanced age is really a fool, just as the Indra-Varuna fruit does not become sweet no matter how ripe it might become.

未雨綢繆及在任何可能情況下巧於處事的人都是快樂的人; 但宿命主義完全靠運氣的人卻會被毀。
He who is prepared for the future and he who deals cleverly with any situation that may arise are both happy; but the fatalistic man who wholly depends on luck is ruined.

君王善良,臣民便善良。 君王有罪,臣民也會犯罪。 君王平庸,臣民也是平庸。 臣民跟隨國王榜樣。 簡言之,如斯君王如斯臣民。
If the king is virtuous, then the subjects are also virtuous. If the king is sinful, then the subjects also become sinful. If he is mediocre, then the subjects are mediocre. The subjects follow the example of the king. In short, as is the king so are the subjects.

我認為那些活著但不存忠義行事的人如死人一樣,反之那些無疑的獻身忠義之士即使離世仍永垂不朽。
I consider him who does not act religiously as dead though living, but he who dies acting religiously unquestionably lives long though he is dead.

平庸者在別人聲名大燥之前鼓燥不安,並誹謗他們因為自己無法攀升如此高位。 (吃不到的葡萄是酸的)
The hearts of base men burn before the fire of other's fame, and they slander them being themselves unable to rise to such a high position.

He who has acquired neither virtue, wealth, satisfaction of desires nor salvation (dharma, artha, kama, moksa), lives an utterly useless life, like the "nipples" hanging from the neck of a goat.
既得不到美德、財富、慾望滿足 (dharma, artha, kama),也得不到解脫(moksa) 的人,徒勞過一活,就像弔在山羊脖子上的 “乳頭”一樣。(山羊脖子上的 “乳頭” 不會有奶)

內心培育對所有生物仁愛的人克服所有困難,並在每一步都成為各類富裕的接受者。
He who nurtures benevolence for all creatures within his heart overcomes all difficulties and will be the recipient of all types of riches at every step.

如小牛在千頭乳牛裡追隨牠母親,人所作每事(好或壞的)都在跟隨著他。
As a calf follows its mother among a thousand cows, so the (good or bad) deeds of a man follow him.

檀香雖被切割,卻不失其天然香氣:大象雖老卻不失嬉戲本質,甘蔗不因在磨坊中擠壓而失去甜味;因此,高尚的人不論多麼貧困,也失去不了他的崇高品質。
Although sandalwood be cut, it does not forsake its natural quality of fragrance; so also the elephant does not give up sportiveness though he should grow old. The sugarcane does not cease to be sweet though squeezed in a mill; so the man of noble extraction does not lose his lofty qualities, no matter how pinched he is by poverty.

這世上有很多因素導致人受到支配及控制,情意結卻是最強烈。以蜜蜂為例,雖然專長刺硬木,卻被它心愛的花朵所包裹著(當黃昏花瓣關閉時 )。
There are many ways of binding by which one can be dominated and controlled in this world, but the bond of affection is the strongest. For example, take the case of the humble bee which, although expert at piercing hardened wood, becomes caught in the humble bee which, although expert at piercing hardened wood, becomes caught in the embrace of its beloved flowers (as the petals close at dusk).

經典知識無限,要學的藝術又很多:我們有的時間很短,我們的學習機會充滿了障礙。因此,選擇學習最重要的東西,就像天鵝只喝水中的牛奶一樣。
knowledge is unlimited, and the arts to be learned are many; thetime we have is short, and our opportunities to learn are beset with obstacles. Therefore select for learning that which is most important, just as the swan drinks only the milk in water.

若然人能夠時常抱持他們在聆聽宗教訓示時、出現在火葬場時,與及在生病時所經歷的心態 - 那麼還有誰人不得解脫?
If men should always retain the state of mind they experience when hearing religious instruction, when present at a crematorium ground, and when in sickness — then who could not attain liberation.

若然人在悔改前能夠有所感受,悔改後有所感受, 那麼有誰不會達到完美?
If a man should feel before, as he feels after, repentance — then who would not attain perfection?

我們不應為我們的慈善布施、苦行、英勇行為、經典知識、謙虛恭順和道德感到自豪,因為這世界充滿最稀有的寶石。
We should not feel pride in our charity, austerity, valour, scriptural knowledge, modesty and morality for the world is full of the rarest gems.

身各一方卻常存腦海實在祇在咫尺,近身相處卻不在心底真的是天角一方。
He who lives in our mind is near though he may actually be far away; but he who is not in our heart is far though he may really be nearby.

按情況說適當的話、按能力付出愛心服務,以及知道自己憤怒極限的人是一位 pandit(有學識的人)。
He is a pandit (man of knowledge) who speaks what is suitable to the occasion, who renders loving service according to his ability, and who knows the limits of his anger.

杜鵑鳥長期(幾個季節)保持沉默,直到它們能唱得美麗動聽(在春天),以為所有人帶來快樂。
The cuckoos remain silent for a long time (for several seasons) until they are able to sing sweetly (in the Spring ) so as to give joy to all.

我們應爭取下列各項,並妥善保存:功德祝福、財富、穀糧、上師的開示,與及稀世藥物。 否則生活不成。
We should secure and keep the following: the blessings of meritorious deeds, wealth, grain, the words of the spiritual master, and rare medicines. Otherwise life becomes impossible.

對眾生內心滿懷憐憫的人, 知識、解脫、頭上的髮結、以及身上塗著的灰燼又有何必要呢?
For one whose heart melts with compassion for all creatures; what is the necessity of knowledge, liberation, matted hair on the head, and smearing the body with ashes.

由於覺察力不足,最珍貴的珠寶趟在人足下的塵土中,而頭上卻帶上了一些玻璃。 但我們不該亂想寶石就此價值下降,而玻璃片的重要性增加了。 當有嚴僅判斷的人出現時,它們各自的正確位置便被重置。
For want of discernment the most precious jewels lie in the dust at the feet of men while bits of glass are worn on their heads. But we should not imagine that the gems have sunk in value, and the bits of glass have risen in importance. When a person of critical judgement shall appear, each will be given its right position.

人可能熟悉四吠陀及宗教經典,但如果他沒有沒有對自我的覺醒,他可以被稱為拌棒一支,因為它攪拌各種食物卻不知道任何一種食物的味道。
One may know the four Vedas and the Dharma-sastras, yet if he has no realisation of his own spiritual self, he can be said to be like the ladle which stirs all kinds of foods but knows not the taste of any.

月亮是甘露之鄉及所有藥物的主神,雖然像 amrta (一種甘露) 一樣永垂不朽、形象璀璨,但卻在太陽居所 (日間) 裡失去耀目的光彩。 因此,一個普通人不會因為住在另一個人的家裡而感到自卑。
The moon, who is the abode of nectar and the presiding deity of all medicines, although immortal like amrta and resplendent in form, loses the brilliance of his rays when he repairs to the abode of the sun (day time). Therefore will not an ordinary man be made to feel inferior by going to live at the house of another.

有誰會在變得富有時不自負? 那一個放憚的人停止有他的災難(一場浩劫)? 這世界上哪個男人不曾被女人征服? 有誰永遠受國王寵愛? 有誰不被時間所蹂躪? 哪個乞丐得到榮耀? 誰會在壞人惡行下變得快樂?
Who is there who, having become rich, has not become proud? Which licentious (Free) man has put an end to his calamities (A grievous disaster)? Which man in this world has not been overcome by a woman? Who is always loved by the king? Who is there who has not been overcome by the ravages of time? Which beggar has attained glory? Who has become happy by contracting the vices of the wicked?

人憑自己優點變得偉大,而非僅靠佔據崇高座位。 烏鴉單憑坐在高樓頂處,我們便可以把它叫作鷹嗎?
A man attains greatness by his merits, not simply by occupying an exalted seat. Can we call a crow an eagle (garuda) simply because he sits on the top of a tall building.

那遙遠東西看似不可能,而那遙不可及的東西可通過苦行輕易達成,因為沒有什麼能超越苦行。
That thing which is distant, that thing which appears impossible, and that which is far beyond our reach, can be easily attained through tapasya (religious austerity), for nothing can surpass austerity.

蛇的牙、蒼蠅的口和蝎子的刺都有毒; 邪惡的人卻是全身充滿著。
There is poison in the fang of the serpent, in the mouth of the fly and in the sting of a scorpion; but the wicked man is saturated with it.

首飾不會比慈善供奉更好的裝飾雙手;將身體塗上檀香槳不會比洗一個澡來得乾淨; 一餐晚飯不會比受人尊重來得滿足; 自我吹噓不像培養靈性知識一樣達到解脫。
The hand is not so well adorned by ornaments as by charitable offerings; one does not become clean by smearing sandalwood paste upon the body as by taking a bath; one does not become so much satisfied by dinner as by having respect shown to him; and salvation is not attained by self-adornment as by cultivation of spiritual knowledge.

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