Chanakya Niti: 5 Signs Someone Might Not Be Worth Your Trust
Riya Kumari | Dec 06, 2024, 13:28 IST
Trust is like your favorite pair of jeans—once it’s stretched too thin or ripped apart, it’s never the same. And while our hearts love to give people the benefit of the doubt, history (and let’s face it, a few too many betrayals) proves that not everyone deserves a seat at your inner circle table. Lucky for us, the ancient Indian mastermind Chanakya had already decoded the art of spotting red flags centuries ago. Think of him as the OG life coach, dropping wisdom before self-help books were even a thing.
In Chanakya's view, not everyone deserves a key to your most trusted space. According to this ancient strategist extraordinaire, the people closest to you should embody qualities that strengthen your life, not drain it. Because let’s be real: life is complicated enough without carrying dead weight in the form of toxic friendships or manipulative relationships.
1. The Over-Promiser Who Delivers...Never
We all know someone who promises the world—“I’ll call you tomorrow,” or “Next time, coffee’s on me!”—but can’t even deliver a text back. Chanakya warns us to steer clear of those who speak sweetly but fail to follow through. Over-promising and under-delivering is their thing, and no, they’re not about to change. Trust actions, not words. If their promises come with a side of “I swear” and zero follow-up, it’s time to cut the cord.
2. The Chronic Criticizer Who Plays the Victim
Ah, the subtle art of pulling you down while playing the misunderstood saint. This is the person who will smile to your face and later claim you “took it the wrong way” when their passive-aggressive comments finally boil over. Chanakya’s take? A person who criticizes too often is often driven by envy, not concern. Watch out—they’re not giving feedback; they’re marking territory on your self-esteem.
3. The Fair-Weather Friend
Ever notice how some people only show up when life’s serving champagne, not when you’re drowning in deadlines and ramen noodles? Chanakya couldn’t stand these “what’s-in-it-for-me” types. According to his philosophy, people who can’t stick around during tough times are only here to take advantage when the going gets good. If they’re MIA when you need them most, you already have your answer.
4. The Gossip Dealer
If they’re spilling someone else’s tea to you, guess what—you’re next on the menu. Chanakya warns against trusting those who can’t keep secrets. Gossips are like walking tabloid magazines, and sooner or later, they’ll find a way to spin your story for their amusement. The best way to deal with them? Smile politely, change the subject, and don’t give them anything to weaponize.
5. The “Too Nice to Be True” Sweet-Talker
Yes, we all love compliments. But if someone’s handing them out like free samples at a grocery store, you might want to hit pause. Chanakya believed that excessive flattery is a tactic often used by manipulative people. They’re not being kind; they’re buttering you up for a future favor. Genuine respect doesn’t need to be sugar-coated.
Chanakya’s wisdom boils down to this: trust is earned, not demanded. And if someone consistently shows you their true colors, believe them the first time. Being selective isn’t about cynicism; it’s about protecting your energy and investing in people who genuinely value you. Remember, the world is full of people worth trusting—just make sure they’ve passed the Chanakya test first.
1. The Over-Promiser Who Delivers...Never
Promise ring
We all know someone who promises the world—“I’ll call you tomorrow,” or “Next time, coffee’s on me!”—but can’t even deliver a text back. Chanakya warns us to steer clear of those who speak sweetly but fail to follow through. Over-promising and under-delivering is their thing, and no, they’re not about to change. Trust actions, not words. If their promises come with a side of “I swear” and zero follow-up, it’s time to cut the cord.
2. The Chronic Criticizer Who Plays the Victim
Disagreement
Ah, the subtle art of pulling you down while playing the misunderstood saint. This is the person who will smile to your face and later claim you “took it the wrong way” when their passive-aggressive comments finally boil over. Chanakya’s take? A person who criticizes too often is often driven by envy, not concern. Watch out—they’re not giving feedback; they’re marking territory on your self-esteem.
3. The Fair-Weather Friend
Pizza party
Ever notice how some people only show up when life’s serving champagne, not when you’re drowning in deadlines and ramen noodles? Chanakya couldn’t stand these “what’s-in-it-for-me” types. According to his philosophy, people who can’t stick around during tough times are only here to take advantage when the going gets good. If they’re MIA when you need them most, you already have your answer.
4. The Gossip Dealer
Gossip girl
If they’re spilling someone else’s tea to you, guess what—you’re next on the menu. Chanakya warns against trusting those who can’t keep secrets. Gossips are like walking tabloid magazines, and sooner or later, they’ll find a way to spin your story for their amusement. The best way to deal with them? Smile politely, change the subject, and don’t give them anything to weaponize.
5. The “Too Nice to Be True” Sweet-Talker
Friends
Yes, we all love compliments. But if someone’s handing them out like free samples at a grocery store, you might want to hit pause. Chanakya believed that excessive flattery is a tactic often used by manipulative people. They’re not being kind; they’re buttering you up for a future favor. Genuine respect doesn’t need to be sugar-coated.
Chanakya’s wisdom boils down to this: trust is earned, not demanded. And if someone consistently shows you their true colors, believe them the first time. Being selective isn’t about cynicism; it’s about protecting your energy and investing in people who genuinely value you. Remember, the world is full of people worth trusting—just make sure they’ve passed the Chanakya test first.