Chanakya Niti: 6 Things Successful People Do Differently
Nidhi | Jun 10, 2025, 16:56 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau, Timeslife )
What if the habits of successful people were already written centuries ago? Chanakya Niti, the ancient Indian guide to strategy and wisdom, reveals six timeless principles that today’s achievers still follow—often without realizing it. This article decodes those core habits, supported by powerful quotes and practical insights, showing how ancient thinking can give you an edge in the modern world.
More than 2,000 years ago, the sharpest mind in ancient India—Chanakya—penned the Arthashastra and his own wisdom texts known today as Chanakya Niti. Part philosopher, part strategist, part political mastermind, Chanakya didn’t just talk about kings and empires. He understood the psychology of power, success, and human ambition.
His words were never poetic—they were precise. Brutally honest. And startlingly relevant even in today’s cutthroat corporate boardrooms, political games, and personal life decisions.
If you’ve ever wondered what separates those who rise from those who remain, Chanakya may have the answers. Not in vague motivation—but in specific action.
Here are 6 things successful people do differently, according to Chanakya Niti.
"Avoid him who talks sweetly before you but tries to ruin you behind your back."
The people around you are not just company—they are influence. Chanakya teaches that false friends are worse than open enemies because they hide their harm behind smiles. Successful people are not fooled by charm; they look for loyalty in times of silence, not noise. They avoid gossipers, flatterers, and those who gain proximity through manipulation.
They build relationships with those who challenge them, question them, and hold them accountable. Their inner circle is not crowded—it is curated. Because they know: a single untrustworthy person in your team can destroy years of effort.
"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions – Why am I doing it, What the results might be, and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers, go ahead."
Successful people don’t chase distractions disguised as opportunities. They pause and reflect before acting. Every decision, big or small, is filtered through a long-term lens. They weigh risks, visualize outcomes, and mentally rehearse consequences.
They are strategic thinkers. Instead of running fast in every direction, they move slowly in the right one. This mindset helps them conserve energy, avoid regret, and multiply results over time. Their goals are intentional, not accidental.
"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first."
In a world that confuses loudness with leadership, Chanakya reminds us that survival often depends on restraint. Not every truth needs to be spoken, and not every opinion needs to be shared. Successful people master the power of silence—especially in meetings, negotiations, and conflict.
They use honesty wisely. They understand that bluntness without timing becomes a weapon against themselves. They observe more than they speak, and listen more than they reply. Their silence isn’t weakness—it’s a shield, a strategy, and often their loudest statement.
"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth."
Chanakya strips away the illusion of unconditional alliances. Even allies are driven by interest. Successful individuals don’t romanticize relationships—they study them. They understand the politics of association and learn to extract insight from both admirers and adversaries.
They take criticism seriously, not personally. Even an enemy can point out flaws a friend would never dare mention. In a world where most people defend themselves from discomfort, successful people grow from it. They know every rival is also a reluctant teacher.
"He who is overly attached to his family members experiences fear and sorrow, for the root of all grief is attachment."
This is perhaps Chanakya’s most misunderstood teaching. He’s not against love—he’s against dependency. Successful people are emotionally intelligent, but not emotionally enslaved. They care, but they are not controlled by fear of loss or discomfort.
They understand that real strength comes from clarity, not emotional chaos. When it’s time to walk away from a failing venture, a draining partnership, or an outdated plan, they don’t delay. They choose what’s right over what feels comfortable. Because they know: delay is often the most expensive decision.
"The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you."
In an age of oversharing, secrecy is power. Chanakya’s advice is simple but profound—what others don’t know, they can’t attack. Successful people operate on a need-to-know basis. They reveal their moves after they’ve made them. They protect their vision like a seed—not exposing it until it’s strong enough to survive storms.
They don’t reveal their financial plans, personal vulnerabilities, or professional strategies to anyone who hasn’t earned that trust through loyalty and time. Silence becomes their strength, not a gap. While others seek validation, they seek victory.
Strategy Over Sentiment
Chanakya’s Niti isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about playing it smart. It’s raw, real, and uncomfortably honest. These six habits show why successful people often seem different: they are. They don’t follow the crowd—they watch it, learn from it, and quietly move ahead.
They guard their time like treasure, their minds like fortresses, and their words like weapons. They may not always be liked—but they are always respected. Because they understand something most people don’t: success is not won through chance—but through clarity, character, and control.
And in every era—from empires to startups—those who think like Chanakya will always rise first, and fall last.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
His words were never poetic—they were precise. Brutally honest. And startlingly relevant even in today’s cutthroat corporate boardrooms, political games, and personal life decisions.
If you’ve ever wondered what separates those who rise from those who remain, Chanakya may have the answers. Not in vague motivation—but in specific action.
Here are 6 things successful people do differently, according to Chanakya Niti.
1. They Are Extremely Selective About Their Circle
Office
( Image credit : Pexels )
"Avoid him who talks sweetly before you but tries to ruin you behind your back."
The people around you are not just company—they are influence. Chanakya teaches that false friends are worse than open enemies because they hide their harm behind smiles. Successful people are not fooled by charm; they look for loyalty in times of silence, not noise. They avoid gossipers, flatterers, and those who gain proximity through manipulation.
They build relationships with those who challenge them, question them, and hold them accountable. Their inner circle is not crowded—it is curated. Because they know: a single untrustworthy person in your team can destroy years of effort.
2. They Think Long-Term and Act With Purpose
Thinking
( Image credit : Pexels )
"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions – Why am I doing it, What the results might be, and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers, go ahead."
Successful people don’t chase distractions disguised as opportunities. They pause and reflect before acting. Every decision, big or small, is filtered through a long-term lens. They weigh risks, visualize outcomes, and mentally rehearse consequences.
They are strategic thinkers. Instead of running fast in every direction, they move slowly in the right one. This mindset helps them conserve energy, avoid regret, and multiply results over time. Their goals are intentional, not accidental.
3. They Know When to Stay Silent
Silence
( Image credit : Pexels )
"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first."
In a world that confuses loudness with leadership, Chanakya reminds us that survival often depends on restraint. Not every truth needs to be spoken, and not every opinion needs to be shared. Successful people master the power of silence—especially in meetings, negotiations, and conflict.
They use honesty wisely. They understand that bluntness without timing becomes a weapon against themselves. They observe more than they speak, and listen more than they reply. Their silence isn’t weakness—it’s a shield, a strategy, and often their loudest statement.
4. They Learn From Their Rivals, Not Just Their Friends
Observe.
( Image credit : Pexels )
"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth."
Chanakya strips away the illusion of unconditional alliances. Even allies are driven by interest. Successful individuals don’t romanticize relationships—they study them. They understand the politics of association and learn to extract insight from both admirers and adversaries.
They take criticism seriously, not personally. Even an enemy can point out flaws a friend would never dare mention. In a world where most people defend themselves from discomfort, successful people grow from it. They know every rival is also a reluctant teacher.
5. They Don’t Let Emotions Control Their Decisions
Trap
( Image credit : Pexels )
"He who is overly attached to his family members experiences fear and sorrow, for the root of all grief is attachment."
This is perhaps Chanakya’s most misunderstood teaching. He’s not against love—he’s against dependency. Successful people are emotionally intelligent, but not emotionally enslaved. They care, but they are not controlled by fear of loss or discomfort.
They understand that real strength comes from clarity, not emotional chaos. When it’s time to walk away from a failing venture, a draining partnership, or an outdated plan, they don’t delay. They choose what’s right over what feels comfortable. Because they know: delay is often the most expensive decision.
6. They Guard Their Secrets Fiercely
Secret
( Image credit : Pexels )
"The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you."
In an age of oversharing, secrecy is power. Chanakya’s advice is simple but profound—what others don’t know, they can’t attack. Successful people operate on a need-to-know basis. They reveal their moves after they’ve made them. They protect their vision like a seed—not exposing it until it’s strong enough to survive storms.
They don’t reveal their financial plans, personal vulnerabilities, or professional strategies to anyone who hasn’t earned that trust through loyalty and time. Silence becomes their strength, not a gap. While others seek validation, they seek victory.
Strategy Over Sentiment
They guard their time like treasure, their minds like fortresses, and their words like weapons. They may not always be liked—but they are always respected. Because they understand something most people don’t: success is not won through chance—but through clarity, character, and control.
And in every era—from empires to startups—those who think like Chanakya will always rise first, and fall last.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!