- Only because of punishment things function on the social platform. If there is no reaction, everyone would do whatever they wanted.
- Generally, it is talked about education, encouragement etc, but actually punishment keeps things in line. If only encouragement is required, that is used. One who can be encouraged generally has some knowledge and qualities.
- If things are not going to improve by discussion, there is punishment.
- Liberal society trains people to think punishment is bad, but how do they deal with people who are not liberal?
- Actually the confusion is when punishment is necessary; sometimes it is good, sometimes - bad.
- Nowadays artists write all kinds of destructive lyrics, but government does not forbid it, 'they should be allowed to express,' but in that case selling cocaine to kids is also fine.
- Encouragement is there when there is something to work with.
- Nowadays absurd cases come up where criminals are protected and innocent people punished. Everything is based on sentiment.
- Justice has to be applied by qualified people.
- This section of Manu Samhita proves the absurdity of liberals and brings out the weaknesses of conservatives.
- There must be standards and people must follow them.
- Punishment means there is going to be reaction that we do not want.
- Punishment may not be necessary if people are very well trained, but then one has to invest in the training.
- Nowadays people only discuss their rights; Vedic system means that people focus on their obligations, so everyone's rights are fulfilled
- Obligation means that we have to perform some activity. Right means that we just sit and do nothing, and somebody else has to do something.
- Properly inflicted punishment makes all people happy.
- It is much easier to manage trained people.
- There is no punishment in the spiritual world because everybody is a servant of God and does everything properly.
- We are under the false impression that material world can be made nice and ideal.
- Punishment is simply there, so that people do what is proper because when they properly perform their duties, everybody benefits.
- We want to be so liberal and deny the importance of punishment, but what if demigods like Surya, Vayu etc gave up their duties that they also perform out of fear of punishment?
- Taxes and punishment are not a problem, it is only a matter of the qualification of the governors.
- In the Vedic system one can choose a specific set of duties (e.g. to get married or to renounce), but once the choice is made, one has to follow that set of duties.
- Qualities of king who can administer punishment: truthful; acts after due consideration; wise; knows value of dharma, artha and kama; endowed with great energy; munificent; grateful; dedicated to the service of aged; humble; virtuous; born in a good family; pure; active; well-read in dharma-shastras; devoid of fault-finding; large-minded; free of vices like gambling; capable of hiding one's shortcomings (otherwise, enemy can conquer the king on the basis of his weakness); well-versed in logic, politics, economics and the three Vedas.
- To simply see weakness - that the leader has to be able to do, but to emphasize weakness is faultfinding.
- King's authorities know his weaknesses, but he is not supposed to show them to others. King's authorities are also capable of keeping secrets.
- King who is voluptuous, deceitful and partial is destroyed by the punishment he inflicts. Indian kings have a successful rule and then retire; in other places we see them destroyed.
- 'Absolute power corrupts absolutely' is itself an absolute statement, and those who make it are themselves corrupt.
- Punishment is not possible to administer by men with unimproved character - then it destroys all.
- Chapters about king's duties are really freaky for those who do not have knowledge and character.
- There is no such thing as not having leadership and authority, it's a question of their qualities. At the same time, the character of the followers is equally important to run a successful social system.
- One who is not self-realized, or on the path of self-realization (unimproved mind) is not qualified to be a leader.
- King is behaving without duplicity towards his friends (means, he has friends). He should act with justice in his domain, chastise enemy with vigour, and be lenient towards brahmanas.
- Kings protects people through his actions.
- The basic principles of running government are applied in various circumstances, but a king deals with the full government.
- To actually be in charge is a big job - it means to practically personally get things done. One has character, one has energy, one has ability to deal constantly with various problematic situations. Even the Lord Himself personally comes to establish dharma. If one is not able to do this, one should not be a leader.
- Actual management meetings should not be long, 10-20 minutes, because real managers want to do something practically.
- Those who cannot deal with people should manage things.