Acharya Chanakya is considered to be India’s greatest politician, economist and visionary thinker. The policies and things he has said on the basis of his life experiences are equally relevant and useful even today. Chanakya Niti contains deep principles related to every area of life – policy, economics, behavior, and relationships. One of the important lessons among these is that advice should not be given to everyone.
We often think that if we are explaining something to someone for their good, then they will appreciate it. But the reality is different from this. Not everyone takes your words seriously. Some people ignore it, some make fun of it, and some take advantage of your advice. That is why Chanakya says that “advice should be given at the right time and to the right person only.” Let us know when giving advice can be inappropriate and harmful –
Giving advice to an arrogant person is useless
A person immersed in arrogance considers himself omniscient. He feels that he is no less than anyone and everyone else is a fool. In such a situation, if you give him any advice, he will not only ignore it but can also insult you. Chanakya says that it is appropriate to keep a distance from such a person.
It is difficult to reform an unrighteous or immoral person
People who stay away from religion, morality and virtue do not care about right or wrong. They do not regret their deeds and neither do they think about the well-being of others. Explaining to such people is a waste of time and effort.
High in position and power but arrogant king or officer
If a king, leader, or officer becomes arrogant due to his position, then he does not give importance to the advice of others. He feels that he is supreme. In such a situation, if you explain something to him, he will doubt your intentions or insult you.
Explaining to a fool is a waste of time
A idiot acts with out thinking and in no manner learns from his mistakes. No remember how clearly you explain to him, he repeats the same mistake on every occasion. In Chanakya’s opinion, it is better to allow such human beings to stay in keeping with their questioning, because giving them know-how is like pouring water on a stone
Avoid people who argue
Some people argue about everything, no matter how right the other person is. If you give advice to such people, they will argue with him, oppose him and finally disturb your mental peace. Chanakya clearly says – “Where logic becomes futile, silence is the best solution.”
Those who never ask for advice
Some people, no matter how difficult they are, never seek guidance from anyone. If you give advice to such a person without asking, he will either feel bad or take your words lightly. Chanakya says that give advice only when the other person is ready to benefit from it.
Giving advice to a jealous person is dangerous
People who are jealous of your goodness never see your help positively. If you give them advice, they will feel that you want to humiliate them. The less communication you have with such people, the better it is.
Explaining to a greedy person is useless
Chanakya says that a person who is immersed in selfishness is not affected by matters of morality, society or religion. His thinking is limited only to profit and loss. In such a situation, if you try to show him the right path, he will see it also from the prism of his benefit. Only time can teach such people, not words.
It is useless to say anything to a person who is intoxicated
A person who is intoxicated or indulges in any bad habit, his power of thinking and understanding is weakened. No advice has any effect on him. To reform such a person, time, patience and practical measures are needed, not just preaching.
One who is lost in his own knowledge
Some people are always busy showing that they know everything. They never want to listen to others. Arguing with them leads to a loss of both time and energy.
Conclusion
Even today, Acharya Chanakya’s policy teaches us to behave wisely in life. Giving recommendations isn’t an ordinary task, but it is a responsibility. Only recommendations given at the right time, right region, and to the proper man or woman are meaningful. Advice given without asking, without thinking, sometimes becomes harmful to us.
,That is why, Chanakya says – “Speak only to those who are ready to listen. Otherwise, silence is the best policy.”
Add a Comment