---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Test an employee while in the discharge…"
description: "\"Test an employee while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.\" — Chanakya"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/chanakya-1643_adversity_test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge_793902.jpg"
---

#  Test an employee while in the discharge of his duty, a…

![“Test an employee while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.” quote by Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/chanakya-1643_adversity_test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge_793902.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/chanakya-1643_adversity_test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge_793902.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/chanakya-1643_adversity_test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge_793902.jpg)

> “Test an employee while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.”

[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.

Test loyalty and character by observing people in hardship and misfortune.

**In simple terms:** Test people in difficult times.

Key Takeaway

Assess true character.

Themes

ethics leadership trust

Mood

thoughtful pragmatic

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- employment
- friendship
- marriage
- crisis management

Key Concepts

philosophy political theory

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you support those in need?
- What does loyalty look like under pressure?

A Different Perspective

Hardship may not reveal all traits.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Employees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employees/) [Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Loyalty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyalty/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Misfortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misfortune/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [True friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-friend/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/)

## Related quotes

> [Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/test-a-servant-while-in-the-discharge-of-his-duty-a-relative-in/)

[Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/)

> [Through life let your principal object be the discharge of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/through-life-let-your-principal-object-be-the-discharge-of-duty/)

[Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/)

> [We have, all of us, our duties. Every action of our lives, and every word that we utter, will either conduce to or detract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/we-have-all-of-us-our-duties-every-action-of-our-lives-and-every-word/)

[William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/)

> [Into each of our lives come golden moments of adversity. This painful friend breaks our hearts, drops us to our knees, and makes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-l-pace/into-each-of-our-lives-come-golden-moments-of-adversity-this-painful/)

[Glenn L. Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-l-pace/)

> [The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-friend-in-my-adversity-i-shall-always-cherish-most/)

[Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/)

> [Be more prompt to go to a friend in adversity than in prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chilo/be-more-prompt-to-go-to-a-friend-in-adversity-than-in-prosperity/)

Chilo

> [The friend of my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-friend-of-my-adversity-i-shall-always-cherish-most-i-can-better/)

[Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/)

> [In prosperity it is very easy to find a friend; but in adversity it is the most difficult of all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/in-prosperity-it-is-very-easy-to-find-a-friend-but-in-adversity-it-is/)

[Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/)

> [When I came to America from Sweden, Mother and I, we went to Chicago where our relatives lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-margret/when-i-came-to-america-from-sweden-mother-and-i-we-went-to-chicago/)

[Ann-Margret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-margret/)

> [Without my relatives, I am but a thread; together, we form a colorful and elaborate Persian carpet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/firoozeh-dumas/without-my-relatives-i-am-but-a-thread-together-we-form-a-colorful/)

[Firoozeh Dumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/firoozeh-dumas/)

> [“To be honest, it's a real relief to go to Canada where I can be among my relatives. Just the kind of break I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-puddicombe/to-be-honest-it-s-a-real-relief-to-go-to-canada-where-i-can-be-among/)

[Ken Puddicombe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-puddicombe/)

> [Home, for me, is with the people who I really love - whether that's in England with my family, Ireland with my relatives, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-merton/home-for-me-is-with-the-people-who-i-really-love-whether-that-s-in/)

[Alice Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-merton/)

> [Be conscious of one another and everything that we are connected to in this world of ours (not just your relatives and friends).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-scaggs/be-conscious-of-one-another-and-everything-that-we-are-connected-to/)

[Noelle Scaggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-scaggs/)

> [About one-half of the members of Congress are seekers for office at the nomination of the President. Of the remainder, at least one-half have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/about-one-half-of-the-members-of-congress-are-seekers-for-office-at/)

[John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/)

> [It's a great story for us whenever an entrepreneur makes a crazy amount of money and we get to tell the world about it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lacy/it-s-a-great-story-for-us-whenever-an-entrepreneur-makes-a-crazy/)

[Sarah Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lacy/)

## 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 Adversity quotes

> [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/)

[Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/)

> [When we have public success we also have private struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/when-we-have-public-success-we-also-have-private-struggles/)

[Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/)

> [“The threats that resurfaced in the past 10 years were not an aberration. Al Qaeda and terrorism or one such threat, but it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/the-threats-that-resurfaced-in-the-past-10-years-were-not-an/)

[George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/)

> [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/)

[Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/)

> [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/)

[Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/)

> [“Every adversity is just another opportunity to excel a little more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-templet/every-adversity-is-just-another-opportunity-to-excel-a-little-more/)

[Michel Templet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-templet/)

> [“Just because she doesn't talk about it, doesn't mean she isn't feeling it. She hurts, but she won't wear it on her sleeve. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfa-h/just-because-she-doesn-t-talk-about-it-doesn-t-mean-she-isn-t-feeling/)

[Alfa H](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfa-h/)

> [Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/every-trial-endured-and-weathered-in-the-right-spirit-makes-a-soul/)

James Buckham Kennedy

> [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/)

[Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/)

> [“Struggles are not associated to a particular people or creed, everyone struggles, not for the same reasons, but each has a personal struggle at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/struggles-are-not-associated-to-a-particular-people-or-creed-everyone/)

[Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/)

> [“Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/watch-a-man-in-times-of-adversity-to-discover-what-kind-of-man-he-is/)

[Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/)

> [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [“Life is not about less mistakes but about more trials”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-sever/life-is-not-about-less-mistakes-but-about-more-trials/)

S.E. SEVER

> [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/)

[Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/)

> [When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-everything-feels-like-an-uphill-struggle-just-think-of-the-view/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 5,001 Adversity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Test an employee while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Chanakya"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge-of-his-duty-a-relative-in/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Adversity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge-of-his-duty-a-relative-in/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/chanakya-1643_adversity_test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge_793902.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/chanakya-1643_adversity_test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge_793902.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/chanakya-1643_adversity_test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge_793902.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Test an employee while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a…” — Chanakya",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Chanakya",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Test an employee while in the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge-of-his-duty-a-relative-in/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/test-an-employee-while-in-the-discharge-of-his-duty-a-relative-in/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
