Misogyny or Strategy? What Chanakya Really Meant by “Don’t Trust Women”

"Do not trust women." A line attributed to Chanakya, the master strategist of ancient India, that has echoed through time, igniting controversy. At first glance, it seems like a blunt dismissal of women’s trustworthiness, but what if there’s more hidden beneath these words? In a world of political scheming and power struggles, could Chanakya's warning have been about survival in a deceit-filled realm, rather than a condemnation of women?As Chanakya once said,

“The biggest guru-mantra is: never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you.” Was his advice merely a reflection of a world where trust was a dangerous game, regardless of gender?

This brings us to a crucial question: Was Chanakya simply acknowledging the political realities of his time, or does this statement reveal a much deeper, patriarchal view of women as inherently untrustworthy? What if the real mystery lies not in the words themselves, but in how they have been interpreted and used across centuries? Let’s delve deeper and uncover the layers of Chanakya’s teachings, exploring how his words may have shaped—and continue to shape—the way society views women today.


The controversial quote is derived from Chanakya Niti, a compilation of aphorisms and political wisdom attributed to Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta). In one verse, he writes:

"Na strishu vishwasayet" — "Do not trust women."

This quote is often cited in isolation, stripped from the surrounding verses that contextualize Chanakya’s worldview. In his works, women are sometimes portrayed as manipulative, emotional, and unreliable. But to judge his intent based on a single sentence is intellectually lazy and historically dishonest.
Chanakya was not a philosopher in the traditional sense. He was a statesman, economist, and political realist whose writings focused on governance, power, espionage, and survival. Chanakya Niti was designed as a guidebook for kings and ministers, not a moral treatise for the public.

When Chanakya warned against trusting women, it was likely in the context of palace intrigues and royal courts, where seduction and betrayal were not uncommon tools of diplomacy and warfare. In this world, emotional entanglements could endanger a king or weaken a kingdom. From that perspective, his advice can be seen less as gendered hate and more as caution rooted in political realism.
Yet, dismissing the line entirely as strategic caution doesn't absolve it from criticism. Repeatedly portraying women as deceptive or secondary in wisdom literature lays the groundwork for a gender-biased mindset. When a powerful thinker like Chanakya writes such lines, they carry the weight of legitimacy.

His statements, intentionally or not, echoed a sentiment that women are inherently less rational or trustworthy. Over time, such generalizations, when codified and passed down as wisdom, reinforce misogynistic norms. In patriarchal societies, especially those revering ancient texts, lines like these become justification for control, restriction, and discrimination.

Interestingly, Chanakya Niti also contains verses that acknowledge the power and influence of women. For example:

"Striyah samastashcha jayantey shaktimanti" — "All women are born powerful."
This suggests that Chanakya recognized the capability and strength of women, albeit within a utilitarian framework. His writings simultaneously warn against women and admire their intelligence, indicating a complex, perhaps conflicted, perspective.

In fact, Chanakya was instrumental in placing Chandragupta Maurya on the throne, a plan which reportedly involved women in various strategic roles. He wasn’t blind to their influence; rather, he sought to manage and manipulate it, just as he would any other force.

Despite possible nuanced intentions, there is no denying that quotes like "Do not trust women" have been weaponized to justify patriarchy. In many traditional households, this line has been echoed to limit women’s freedom, question their integrity, and reinforce gender roles. It becomes a cultural refrain — unchallenged, decontextualized, and damaging.

Ancient texts often become timeless truths in public perception, regardless of historical context. When Chanakya’s strategic caution turns into everyday misogyny, it ceases to be a matter of political survival and becomes a cultural norm.

So, was Chanakya a misogynist? The answer isn’t simple. He was a product of his time, writing in an era where gender roles were starkly defined. His advice was likely tailored for rulers and strategists, not for regulating household behavior or societal values centuries later. Still, it is critical to acknowledge the impact of such statements.

Today, our responsibility is to read such texts critically, extracting wisdom without perpetuating harm. Quoting Chanakya without questioning the intent and context only deepens gender divides.

Chanakya's "Do not trust women" line is undoubtedly controversial. It walks the tightrope between tactical realism and gender prejudice. Whether it was meant to safeguard kingdoms or simply reflect ingrained patriarchal views, its impact has been far-reaching.

As we continue to revisit ancient wisdom in modern times, we must separate strategy from stereotype, and context from consequence. Chanakya may not have set out to write a manifesto for patriarchy, but his words have, over time, fueled one.

And that is why, even now, we must ask: Was he misunderstood, or simply a man of his misogynistic times?