Quotes by Former President of India

Masculine republics give way to feminine democracies, and feminine democracies give way to tyranny.

Wretched, ephemeral race, children of chance and tribulation, why do you force me to tell you the very thing which it would be most profitable for you not to hear? The very best thing is utterly beyond your reach: not to have been born, not to be, to be nothing. However, the second best thing for you is: to die soon.

That which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it

The avarice of mankind is insatiable; at one time two obols was pay enough; but now, when this sum has become customary, men always want more and more without end.

There is more both of beauty and of raison d'etre in the works of nature- than in those of art.

In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds.

For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all; since armed injustice is the more dangerous, and he is equipped at birth with the arms of intelligence and with moral qualities which he may use for the worst ends. Wherefore, if he have not virtue, he is the most unholy and the most savage of animals, and the most full of lust and gluttony. But justice is the bond of men in states, and the administration of justice, which is the determination of what is just, is the principle of order in political society.

To the size of the state there is a limit, as there is to plants, animals and implements, for none of these retain their facility when they are too large.

At his best, a human is the noblest animal; without laws and justice, he is the worst.

It will contribute towards one's object, who wishes to acquire a facility in the gaining of knowledge, to doubt judiciously.