Ashwin Quotes & Sayings

While I can't walk on water, I can certainly wobble on whisky. — Ashwin Sanghi

What if life's opportunities are like rainfall, and we human beings are like houses? What if some of us have the ability to 'catch' opportunities as they fall, but others do not have the required 'infrastructure' to trap opportunities? — Ashwin Sanghi

I work in a business environment forty hours a week, and writing is what I do to unwind. It allows me to transport myself to a happy place where I can indulge my hopes, beliefs, aspirations and fantasies. It also allows me to live and breathe a topic for eighteen months while I'm researching and writing. — Ashwin Sanghi

My greatest qualification for writing fiction was my ability to lie with a straight face as a child. — Ashwin Sanghi

Winning is not only about strengthening yourself; it's also about weakening the enemy. — Ashwin Sanghi

Happiness is the only thing that when you give it, you get it in return. — Ashwin Sanghi

Writing is incidental to my primary objective, which is spinning a good yarn. I view myself as a storyteller more than a writer. The story - and hence the extensive research that goes into each one of my books - is much more important than the words that I use to narrate it. — Ashwin Sanghi

The relationship between the critic and writer is similar to the one between the pigeon and the statue or the dog and lamp post. — Ashwin Sanghi

In effect, 'lucky' people are lucky because they expose themselves to more opportunities by being willing to do new things, meet new people or — Ashwin Sanghi

a man on a date wonders if he'll get lucky but the woman already knows. — Ashwin Sanghi

Wise men think all they say, fools say all they think. — Ashwin Sanghi

Chance encounters are often the routes through which opportunities manifest themselves. — Ashwin Sanghi

The relationship between critic and writer is similar to the one between the pigeon and the statue. — Ashwin Sanghi

Mythology works ... because Indians have been bred on myths. — Ashwin Sanghi

Our collective energies make miracles happen, not the stone idol. — Ashwin Sanghi

Never interrupt the enemy while he's in the process of making mistake — Ashwin Sanghi

TV actress Lucille Ball once remarked, 'I'd rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I've not done.' This — Ashwin Sanghi

Those who are doggedly attached to the idea they began with may well execute on that idea. And do it well and fast. But along the way, they often miss so many unanticipated possibilities, options, alternatives, and paths that would've taken them away from that linear focus on executing on the vision, and sent them back into a place of creative dissidence and uncertainty, but also very likely yielded something orders of magnitude better. — Ashwin Sanghi

The reality of the writer's world is that you set yourself up for future disappointment with every success that you deliver because you end up raising your audience's expectations. — Ashwin Sanghi

The average buyer in bookshop spends 8 seconds on the front cover and 15 seconds on the back cover before deciding whether to purchase the book or not. On average, he does not get past page 18. See? The odds are stacked against us writers! — Ashwin Sanghi

Writing a mystery is like drawing a picture and then cutting it into little pieces that you offer to your readers one piece at a time, thus allowing them the chance to put the jigsaw puzzle together by the end of the book. — Ashwin Sanghi

A collection of myths is called mythology. — Ashwin Sanghi

Harvard University psychologist William James summed it up beautifully. 'The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.' This — Ashwin Sanghi

American financier Bernard Baruch once remarked, 'Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton asked why. — Ashwin Sanghi

between two evils you should always pick the one that you haven't yet tried. I — Ashwin Sanghi

A western audience might not appreciate 'Chanakya's Chant' because of its dependence on history and ancient statecraft. My book is a modern-day thriller that draws on a bedrock of history. My primary object is to entertain, not educate. — Ashwin Sanghi

If there is one city apart from Mumbai where I would love to settle down, it has to be Chennai. — Ashwin Sanghi

Consider an event from the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the world's greatest military strategists: During a meeting, his subordinates informed Napoleon Bonaparte of a new general who was turning out to be extremely capable. The new man's bravery, skill, determination and organizational capabilities were outlined for Napoleon in great detail. Napoleon waved his hand impatiently. 'That's all very well,' said Napoleon. 'But tell me: Is he lucky?' Napoleon's question may sound rather strange in our times, but he saw luck as a personal trait rather than an extraneous factor. A — Ashwin Sanghi

Eventually, the British came to overrule India because there was too much diversity in our unity. They were great expotents and impotents. They started by expoting salt from India and then impoting cloth.' One of the more difficult questions related to Chanakya, — Ashwin Sanghi

There is one person who can help solve 'writer's block'. His name is Mr. Johnnie Walker. — Ashwin Sanghi

Honesty is a most dreadful quality - it makes people difficult to manipulate, — Ashwin Sanghi

I believe that the day one stops being spiritual, one ends up being religious. I live by the adage that the only certainty in life is death. We should, therefore, learn to live for the day and be content. — Ashwin Sanghi

I like to joke that I probably hold the world record for rejection letters. Yes, the truth is that I was fed up of being rejected repeatedly, and self-publication was an act of defiance at traditional publishing. But life works in strange ways. — Ashwin Sanghi

good lawyers know the law and that great lawyers know the judge? — Ashwin Sanghi

Acharya, is war the only solution to political differences?' 'Wise pupil, politics is war without bloodshed and war is simply politics with bloodshed. — Ashwin Sanghi

the greater the positive deeds they put out in the universe, the better the chances of their attracting good luck. — Ashwin Sanghi

Take the first A out of Abraham and put it at the end. You get Brahama. There's the ancient connection right there. — Ashwin Sanghi

Being a bestselling author is a wonderful feeling. My publisher loves me (almost unconditionally). My contracts — Ashwin Sanghi

My wife is troubled by the things I forget. I am troubled by the things she recollects. — Ashwin Sanghi

A myth is a lie that conceals or reveals a truth. But if it reveals even a strand of history or truth, that's what gets my adrenaline going. — Ashwin Sanghi

Being intuitive is about thinking and feeling. — Ashwin Sanghi

Everything is going to be right at the end. If it's not right, then it is not the end. — Ashwin Sanghi

When you're holding a man by the balls, his heart and mind will follow, — Ashwin Sanghi

What should a man strive for? Kama - love, dharma - duty, artha - wealth, and moksha - salvation. — Ashwin Sanghi

Politics is like a stage. Each politician plays his part according to the lines that are given to him. But backstage, the hero and the villain enjoy their drink together. Everybody — Ashwin Sanghi

a sermon was meant to be like a woman's skirt, long enough to cover the essentials and short enough to keep one interested! — Ashwin Sanghi

I am a businessman at the end of the day. I have grown up with Excel sheets. I start out writing my novel with spreadsheets and the milestones in each chapter highlighted. — Ashwin Sanghi

Overcoming fear - of any sort - allows one to open up to the flow of opportunities. — Ashwin Sanghi

After preliminary research, I zero in on an idea, and then I spend at least four months exploring the topic and in plot-building. I jot down every single detail of the plot as bullet points per chapter, and only when the skeleton is complete do I start writing. — Ashwin Sanghi

If a war-like situation persists, public sentiment will be with the government of the day. It always happens. People who would love to pull down the government's pants suddenly become patriotic!' said — Ashwin Sanghi

The decision to use a pen name was nothing more than a desire to compartmentalise my life. However, I had not thought about an appropriate pseudonym, and since there's an abundance of anagrams in the novel, the idea struck me: why not use an anagram of my name? Hence, Shawn Haigins. — Ashwin Sanghi

Writer Leo Rosten famously quipped: 'Money can't buy happiness, but neither can poverty.' The — Ashwin Sanghi

In life 99% is about good luck. The remaining 1% is about bloody good luck. — Ashwin Sanghi

J. K. Rowling's first 'Harry Potter' manuscript was rejected 12 times. Stephen King's 'Carrie' was rejected 30 times. 'Gone With The Wind' was rejected 38 times. I was immensely proud to have beaten them all. — Ashwin Sanghi

Oral storytelling goes back so long ago, and those stories that were told orally were always layered and changed with time. — Ashwin Sanghi

I don't care if my books don't sell abroad; we have a large enough market in our country. I write for Indian readers. — Ashwin Sanghi

Opportunities flow through a network and we are much more interconnected than we care to imagine. — Ashwin Sanghi

People think that strength is about lifting weights in the gym. It's more about getting up when you're knocked down by life. — Ashwin Sanghi

There is a method to the madness of James Patterson's success. Co-writing with him is a terrific learning experience, particularly in the art of crafting a perfect thriller. The collaboration also gives me an opportunity to access a wider global audience. — Ashwin Sanghi

Admiration from my readers inspire me, and the only 'formula' I believe in towards making a good writer is: 'to thine own self be true!' — Ashwin Sanghi

I must admit that i am fascinated by the glories of ancient India. But when will the purveyors of Indian culture realise that not everything about our past was glorious? — Ashwin Sanghi

It is impossible to know when a fish swimming in water drinks some of it. Thus it's quite impossible to find out when government servants in charge of undertakings misappropriate money. — Ashwin Sanghi

Combine two words, Myth and History. What do you get? Mystery. — Ashwin Sanghi

Conspiracies fascinate me. When I visited the Rozabal shrine in Srinagar before writing my first book, I remember thinking that the person enshrined there was no ordinary mortal. History is rife with mysteries, and that visit ignited a fire to unveil some of them. — Ashwin Sanghi

In statecraft, as in medicine, words are sometimes the most powerful drugs we can use. The power of propaganda should never be discounted, — Ashwin Sanghi

If a man tells a woman she's beautiful, she'll overlook most of his other lies! — Ashwin Sanghi

When lions fight over a goat, it's usually the hyena that gets away with the prize. — Ashwin Sanghi

Comedian Milton Berle once said, 'If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door!' In — Ashwin Sanghi

Never judge a book by its cover; a movie by its book; or a video game by its movie. — Ashwin Sanghi

I had lived a life, I had dreamt of, but I have lost a loved one." Ashwin — Shaikh Ashraf

Initial work is on period research where the historical markers are absolutely non-negotiable. Once that is established, a writer can take creative liberties in terms of chronology to suit the story. — Ashwin Sanghi

I want to be remembered as a storyteller more than someone who had something meaningful to say. — Ashwin Sanghi

Learning to trust your instincts, using your intuitive sense of what's best for you, is paramount for any lasting success. — Ashwin Sanghi

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in life. — Ashwin Sanghi

In order to become the master, a ruler must profess to be a servant of the people. — Ashwin Sanghi

I also suggested that my five cousins establish ground rules in respect of their personal lives, particularly in respect of their marriage to Draupadi. Each brother would have access to Draupadi's bed chamber for one year at a time. This was to prevent disharmony among the five. All the brothers were also allowed to marry other women so that they would have companionship for the four years when Draupadi was inaccessible to them. — Ashwin Sanghi

Rule number one: your accounts must always present a true and factual picture of your business operations.' 'And what's the other rule?' asked Arvind. 'Rule number two is to occasionally forget rule number one. — Ashwin Sanghi

Writing is a intensely personal activity. I can pen down my best thoughts when I'm alone. But when one is elevated into the stature of an author, you have to think about your books in terms of their business angle. — Ashwin Sanghi

I have always been a bit of an introvert. In fact, my dad used to force me to meet people so that my interpersonal skills improve. As an individual, I was happiest when left alone. — Ashwin Sanghi

A young musician asked Mozart, 'Herr Mozart, it has been suggested to me that I write a symphony. Would you be good enough to tell me how to go about it?' Mozart thought for a moment and gently suggested, 'You are still too young to write symphonies. Why not try ballads first?' 'You wrote symphonies when you were ten years old,' argued the young man indignantly. 'Ah, yes, but I didn't ask how,' replied Mozart. Absolutely. Mozart — Ashwin Sanghi

A wise man covers his ass. An even wiser man leaves his pants on, — Ashwin Sanghi

A book and a movie are different animals. You need a cinematic perspective to be involved in the motion pictures. And this is something I lack. — Ashwin Sanghi

Group, was only 29 when his father died suddenly in New York. His elder brother took the reins, but died of cancer just five years later, leaving behind a young widow and three children. Prior to that, another brother had decided to quit the family business. In parallel, a one year long textile strike spearheaded by Datta Samant had brought the textile industry to ruin; Morarjee Mills, the family's mainstay, was incurring massive losses. Piramal recounts that he survived those troubled times by reminding himself of one particular story: — Ashwin Sanghi

I want to make sure that my writing grips the reader from the word 'go.' — Ashwin Sanghi

Vipassana proponents always stress that if you are insulted by someone and get angry, the result is not the abuser's fault. It is your fault because you choose to react. — Ashwin Sanghi

Mythology does not interest me. Nor does history. But the possible overlap between history and mythology excites me immensely. — Ashwin Sanghi

There's nothing glorious about dying - anyone can do it. — Ashwin Sanghi

A free society is one where it's safe to be unpopular, but then, freedom of speech also carries with it the freedom not to listen! — Ashwin Sanghi

Early to rise,
early to bed.
A proverb worth following
until one is dead. — Ashwin Sanghi

Your own luck depends on other people's luck. It's crazy! — Ashwin Sanghi

My self-publishing adventure led to my work being picked up by a traditional publisher and eventually hitting the bestseller lists. That led to two more bestselling novels. — Ashwin Sanghi

how we respond to opportunities and how the outcomes pan out determine whether we are lucky or not. — Ashwin Sanghi

I am defined by my curiosity and thirst for learning. I buy more books than I can finish. I sign up for more online courses than I can complete. I fundamentally believe that if you are not learning new things, you stop doing great and useful things. — Ashwin Sanghi

The cleanest book on a dusty bookshelf is usually a dirty one. — Ashwin Sanghi

Unlike a typical professional, I can't quit my job to become a full-time author; I don't have that luxury. For me, writing is therapy; if I choose to write full-time, it might start feeling like work. — Ashwin Sanghi

Stop worrying whether the grass is greener on the other side. Find out how to own the other side. — Ashwin Sanghi

Surprise is when a prime minister is assassinated during his speech. Suspense is when an assassin lurks while the prime minister speaks. Balancing surprise and suspense is the job of the thriller writer. — Ashwin Sanghi

We don't need to dumb down our stuff. And it's important to know how far we can push readers. — Ashwin Sanghi

Vish, the creator; and Shiv, the destroyer, are simply two faces of the very same coin. — Ashwin Sanghi

In India, we never distinguished between history and myth. Our Puranas as well as Itihasas contain fantastical tales. They are lies that convey deeper truths. — Ashwin Sanghi