Written in the 4th century BC in India, the ideas in the extensive political treatise "Arthasastra" eerily anticipate Machiavelli’s "The Prince" by almost 2,000 years. Despite its harsh philosophy of the "end justifying the means" and of privileging power and control, the book is remarkably clear about the need for an impartial system of justice and of the importance of education.
“for in the absence of a magistrate (Dandadharabhave), the strong will swallow the weak; but under his protection, the weak resist the strong.”
― Kautilya, The Arthashastra
“Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.”
―
Kautilya, The Arthashastra
No comments:
Post a Comment