Monday, January 9, 2012

Chanakya's chant

The book is based on historic facts and consists of two tales interwoven to show how old wisdom is still relevant in the new world. It appears that the author, Ashwin Sanghi, attempted to explain theory followed by practicals. Although, the relevance and linkages between the two distinct stories is not fairly obvious.

The quotations in the book are nothing new and seem to be forcefully used. The story somehow reminds of an old bollywood movie called Aandhi, which was known to be loosely based on politics and life of Indira Gandhi with more than a few twists in the tale for sole the purpose of claiming uniqueness.

Mentioned below are a few quotes from the book worth remembering and are saved for posterity.

Intro: The journey 'IS' the destination.

Prologue, viii: Any clod can have facts, having an opinion is an art.

Page 3: Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead. It never pays to let others perceive ones true feelings.

Page 20

Four stages of our struggle(in context of the Indian independence struggle from the british rule). - first they ignore you - second they laugh - third they fight and - fourth you win. - MKG

Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from an indomitable will. - MKG

Page 49

Character is what you are, reputation is what others think you are.

Page 103

The freedom of speech also carries with it the freedom not to listen.

Page 105

There's no point in winning an argument and losing the case.

Page 106

When a man steals your wife, there's no better revenge and punishment, than to let him keep her.

Page 107

The only certainty in life is death.

Page 109

The thing with politics is, friends come and go, enemies accumulate.

Page 148

Personal experience: Never provide a solution before creating an insurmountable problem. Nobody will value it and you will not understand why your foresight and help was never recognized and rewarded.

Page 266

Its often easy to get forgiveness rather than getting permission.

Page 278

Wise men think all they say, fools say all they think.

Page 322

Strangely, women instantly depreciate in value the moment they are acquired.

Page 325

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
The ends justify the means.

Page 326

You can only stab some one in the back if you are standing behind them!

Page 329

Every snowflake in an avalanche pleads not guilty! So which snowflake should be punished for the destruction caused by the avalanche?

Page 333

(Words are frequently very powerful as they can control the emotional reactions of the listener and subsequently effect the outcomes of actions.) [Hence] the power of propaganda should never be discounted. (For ex, office gossip can create perceptions which influence the decisions of a manager.)

Its okay to sacrifice strategic key pieces provided you win and get what you want.

Wars are not won by dying, they are won by killing the enemy.

Page 343

When two elephants fight, the grass(on the ground) will suffer(by getting trampled).

Page 391

Worry is like a rocking chair, it keeps you moving but gets you no where!

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