--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A still-born son os superior to a foolish…" description: "\"A still-born son os superior to a foolish son endowed with a long life. The first causes grief for but a moment while the latter like a blazing fire co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/774/chanakya-1643_blazing_a-still-born-son-os-superior-to-a-foolis_2229560.jpg" --- # A still-born son os superior to a foolish son endowed with… ![“A still-born son os superior to a foolish son endowed with a long life. The first causes grief for but a moment while the latter like a blazing fire consumes his parents in grief for life.” quote by Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/774/chanakya-1643_blazing_a-still-born-son-os-superior-to-a-foolis_2229560.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/774/chanakya-1643_blazing_a-still-born-son-os-superior-to-a-foolis_2229560.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/774/chanakya-1643_blazing_a-still-born-son-os-superior-to-a-foolis_2229560.jpg) > “A still-born son os superior to a foolish son endowed with a long life. The first causes grief for but a moment while the latter like a blazing fire consumes his parents in grief for life.” [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A short-lived, virtuous child causes brief sorrow, whereas a foolish, long-lived child brings endless grief to parents. **In simple terms:** A good child dies early, a bad child lives long and hurts more. Key Takeaway Value wisdom over longevity. Themes wisdom family legacy grief virtue Mood somber reflective Type moral philosophical When to use this quote - parenting decisions - marriage choices - family planning - counseling Key Concepts ethical philosophy parental duty life cycles Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance quality and quantity of life? - What defines a virtuous life? A Different Perspective A short life can also bring lasting pain if not cherished. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Grief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grief/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Long life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-life/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) ## Related quotes > [A single son endowed with good qualities is far better than a hundred devoid of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-single-son-endowed-with-good-qualities-is-far-better-than-a-hundred/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/a-foolish-son-is-a-grief-to-his-father-and-bitterness-to-her-that/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [My experience, with both my parents, is that grief has a lot of down, sad things, but I was also really emotionally raw, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mills/my-experience-with-both-my-parents-is-that-grief-has-a-lot-of-down/) [Mike Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mills/) > [Wayward, disobedient children cause their parents grief and anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/wayward-disobedient-children-cause-their-parents-grief-and-anxiety/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [“you lost parents. Your grief defines you and shuts you off from other people. That’s what I think.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/you-lost-parents-your-grief-defines-you-and-shuts-you-off-from-other/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/a-wise-son-makes-a-glad-father-but-a-foolish-son-is-the-grief-of-his/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [“A foolish son has no advantage over a wise orphan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-foolish-son-has-no-advantage-over-a-wise-orphan/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [“No matter who causes you grief, take your complaints to the meditation room, where your real friend is.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amritanandamayi/no-matter-who-causes-you-grief-take-your-complaints-to-the-meditation-2/) Amritanandamayi > [Jealousy is a grievous passion that jealously seeks what causes grief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/jealousy-is-a-grievous-passion-that-jealously-seeks-what-causes-grief/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [No matter who causes you grief, take your complaints to the meditation room, where your real friend is. In addition to your husband or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/no-matter-who-causes-you-grief-take-your-complaints-to-the-meditation/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [The failure to cultivate virtue, the failure to examine and analyze what I have learned, the inability to move toward righteousness after being shown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-failure-to-cultivate-virtue-the-failure-to-examine-and-analyze/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [“Ryker narrowed his eyes. “I was doing that before you were born, son.” “You were, like, eleven when I was born.” I paused. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ryker-narrowed-his-eyes-i-was-doing-that-before-you-were-born-son-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/for-to-us-a-child-is-born-to-us-a-son-is-given-and-the-government/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [“It was not unusual to be called Son of God in ancient Judaism. God calls David his son: “today I have begotten you” (Psalms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/it-was-not-unusual-to-be-called-son-of-god-in-ancient-judaism-god/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [I was born the son of a lawless man, always spoke my mind with a gun in my hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-cross/i-was-born-the-son-of-a-lawless-man-always-spoke-my-mind-with-a-gun/) [Christopher Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-cross/) ## More by Chanakya > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The ruler should employ person in tasks according to their abilities because Knowers ( or the means ) and efficient employees make impossible tasks also possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/the-ruler-should-employ-person-in-tasks-according-to-their-abilities/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The serpent, the king, the tiger, the stinging wasp, the small child, the dog owned by other people, and the fool: these seven ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/the-serpent-the-king-the-tiger-the-stinging-wasp-the-small-child-the/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Prosperity lasts long for one who acts after proper consideration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/prosperity-lasts-long-for-one-who-acts-after-proper-consideration/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Learning is like a cow of desire. It, like her, yields in all seasons. Like a mother, it feeds you on your journey. Therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/learning-is-like-a-cow-of-desire-it-like-her-yields-in-all-seasons/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Who realises all the happiness he desires? Everything is in the hands of God. Therefore one should learn contentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/who-realises-all-the-happiness-he-desires-everything-is-in-the-hands/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Every relationship has one or the other motive behind it. Friendship or enemity are not purposeless.Oneness of motive is turned into friendship. While diversity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/every-relationship-has-one-or-the-other-motive-behind-it-friendship/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/never-share-your-secrets-with-anybody-it-will-destroy-you/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The beauty of a cuckoo is in its notes, that of a woman in her unalloyed devotion to her husband, that of an ugly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/the-beauty-of-a-cuckoo-is-in-its-notes-that-of-a-woman-in-her/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Do not be very upright in your dealings for you would see by going to the forest that straight trees are cut down while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/do-not-be-very-upright-in-your-dealings-for-you-would-see-by-going-to/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The happiness and peace attained by those satisfied by the nectar of spiritual tranquillity is not attained by greedy persons restlessly moving here and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/the-happiness-and-peace-attained-by-those-satisfied-by-the-nectar-of/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [What good is a cow that neither gives milk nor conceives? Similarly, what is the value of the birth of a son if he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/what-good-is-a-cow-that-neither-gives-milk-nor-conceives-similarly/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Sometimes coincidentally an unintelligent person can accomplish a task but that does not mean that he is a knower of means and device or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/sometimes-coincidentally-an-unintelligent-person-can-accomplish-a/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [He whose son is obedient to him, whose wife's conduct is in accordance with his wishes, and who is content with his riches, has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/he-whose-son-is-obedient-to-him-whose-wife-s-conduct-is-in-accordance/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Our bodies are perishable, wealth is not at all permanent and death is always nearby. Therefore we must immediately engage in acts of merit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/our-bodies-are-perishable-wealth-is-not-at-all-permanent-and-death-is/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) [Explore all 220 Chanakya quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) ## More Blazing quotes > [Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all fallen souls to worship Krishna. 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Love, in courtship,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-richardson/love-is-a-blazing-crackling-green-wood-flame-as-much-smoke-as-flame/) [Samuel Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-richardson/) > [Harry looked around; there was Ginny running toward him; she had a hard blazing look in her face as she threw her arms around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/harry-looked-around-there-was-ginny-running-toward-him-she-had-a-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Tomorrow the revolution will 'rise up again, clashing its weapons,' and to your horror it will proclaim with trumpets blazing: I was, I am,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosa-luxemburg/tomorrow-the-revolution-will-rise-up-again-clashing-its-weapons-and/) [Rosa Luxemburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosa-luxemburg/) > ['Blazing Saddles' is one of the funniest movies ever made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-mckay/blazing-saddles-is-one-of-the-funniest-movies-ever-made/) [Adam McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-mckay/) > [It was blazing sunshine and I went on in a turquoise neck muff, glamorous dress and muddy boots and just had the best gig,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kt-tunstall/it-was-blazing-sunshine-and-i-went-on-in-a-turquoise-neck-muff/) [KT Tunstall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kt-tunstall/) > [I pictured a low timber house with a shingled roof, caulked against storms, with blazing log fires inside and the walls lined with all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-chatwin/i-pictured-a-low-timber-house-with-a-shingled-roof-caulked-against/) [Bruce Chatwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-chatwin/) > [Blazing? Droplets of thoughts can soothe it all. Don't feel depleted. Bask in the residue. That remains!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/blazing-droplets-of-thoughts-can-soothe-it-all-don-t-feel-depleted/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Anger is like a flame blazing up and consuming our self-control, making us think, say, and do things that we will probably regret later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/anger-is-like-a-flame-blazing-up-and-consuming-our-self-control/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [They are so confident that they will run on forever. But they won't run on. They don't know that this is all one huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/they-are-so-confident-that-they-will-run-on-forever-but-they-won-t/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [ What he \[Bernie Sanders\] does next will really determine whether he is blazing a trail that others can follow into office, or whether he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-wikler/what-he-bernie-sanders-does-next-will-really-determine-whether-he-is/) [Ben Wikler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-wikler/) > [A Pretty Mouth is a fine and stylish collection that pays homage to the tradition of the weird while blazing its own sinister mark.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-barron/a-pretty-mouth-is-a-fine-and-stylish-collection-that-pays-homage-to/) [Laird Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-barron/) > [That is why we have the polio vaccine. People are blazing their own trial. That is what seems to be important. 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