Chanakya Neeti. Chapter 1, Verse 10: On Discernment and Company
Chapter 1 · Verse 10
On Discernment and Company
लोकयात्रा भयं लज्जा दाक्षिण्यं त्यागशीलता । पञ्च यत्र न विद्यन्ते न कुर्यात्तत्र संस्थितिम् ॥
lokayātrā bhayaṃ lajjā dākṣiṇyaṃ tyāgaśīlatā | pañca yatra na vidyante na kuryāttatra saṃsthitim ||
❖ ❖ ❖
“Where worldly conduct, fear, modesty, courtesy, and generosity are absent. Do not settle there.”
In Modern Life
The first verse picked infrastructure; this one picks culture. A society without shared norms, accountability, dignity, courtesy, or generosity is dangerous regardless of GDP. Some rich cities are spiritual deserts. Don't confuse comfort with civilization.
