Chanakya Neeti. Chapter 1, Verse 5: On Discernment and Company
Chapter 1 · Verse 5
On Discernment and Company
दुष्टा भार्या शठं मित्रं भृत्यश्चोत्तरदायकः । ससर्पे च गृहे वासो मृत्युरेव न संशयः ॥
duṣṭā bhāryā śaṭhaṃ mitraṃ bhṛtyaścottaradāyakaḥ | sasarpe ca gṛhe vāso mṛtyureva na saṃśayaḥ ||
❖ ❖ ❖
“A wicked wife, a deceitful friend, an insolent servant, and a house shared with a snake. Living amid these is death itself, no doubt.”
In Modern Life
Four kinds of toxic proximity will eventually kill what matters: a partner who lies to you, a friend who undermines you, a hire who disrespects the work, and an environment that is actively dangerous. None of these get better with patience. Remove the threat or leave the structure.
