The Panchatantra — Textbook of Niti

The word niti means roughly “the wise conduct of life.” Western civilization must endure a certain shame in realizing that no precise equivalent of the term is found. Many words are therefore necessary to explain what niti is, though the idea, once grasped, is clear, important, and satisfying. Without it, no human joy is possible, nothing beyond animal happiness. The Panchatantra is a niti-shastra, or textbook of niti.