Munshi Premchand Quotes

Powerful Munshi Premchand for Daily Growth

About Munshi Premchand

Munshi Premchand, born Dhanpat Rai Srivastava on July 31, 1880, in Lamhi, Uttar Pradesh, India, is regarded as the founding father of modern Hindi literature. Known for his poignant portrayals of the common man and deep insights into social issues, Premchand's works continue to resonate strongly with readers even today. Born into a family of farmers, Premchand's early life was marked by hardship and struggle. He had to leave school at an early age to support his family. However, this did not deter him from pursuing his passion for literature. In 1896, he moved to Varanasi where he worked as a clerk in the postal department. It was here that he began writing earnestly, adopting the pen name Munshi Premchand, which means 'clerk' and 'the premium of the heart', respectively. Influenced by European literature, especially Charles Dickens and Gustave Flaubert, as well as Indian writers like Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Rabindranath Tagore, Premchand wrote stories that vividly depicted the lives of ordinary people in rural and urban India. His first collection of short stories, 'Soz-e-Watan' (Voices from the Homeland), was published in 1908. Some of his most notable works include the novels 'Kafan' (The Shroud), 'Godan' (The Cow), and 'Sewa Sindhu Ka Devata' (The God on the River Sindhu). His magnum opus, 'Man Dhan', a four-volume epic, was left incomplete at the time of his death on October 8, 1936. Premchand's writings, characterized by their realistic portrayal of society and deep empathy for the underdog, remain a powerful testament to the struggles and aspirations of the common man in India during the early 20th century.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Hum sab ko ghar samne hai, lekin ek dost ko pukarta hi rehta hai." (Everyone's home is near, but only a friend you have to call for.)

This quote highlights the unique bond between friends. While everyone we meet is geographically close in some sense, true friendship requires intentional effort and communication, symbolized by having to 'call' or reach out specifically to a friend. It suggests that while physical proximity can exist with anyone, it takes a special connection to be considered a friend.


"Kabhi kisi ko milta hai jisse kabhi na milna chahiye." (Sometimes we meet someone whom we never wanted to meet.)

This quote by Munshi Premchand suggests that sometimes, unexpected encounters can happen in our lives, and these individuals might not be those we had intended or desired to meet. Such meetings can be challenging, uncomfortable, or even transformative, offering lessons or experiences that we may not have sought out ourselves. The quote underscores the unpredictability and complexity of human relationships, reminding us that life often presents us with situations and people that demand growth and adaptation.


"Zindagi ke yeh safar hamari taraf se shuru ho jaata hai, lekin hamare saath nahin hota ka haal hamare baad kisi dusre se kya hota." (The journey of life starts from our side, but it's not known what happens after us with someone else.)

This quote by Munshi Premchand emphasizes the personal nature of our lives' journeys. It highlights that we are responsible for initiating the voyage of life, but beyond ourselves, its course remains uncertain and influenced by others. The quote underscores the importance of focusing on one's own path while acknowledging the impact we have on others and the influence they may have on us and the world after we are gone.


"Ek baat ek bar sikhayi jaati hai, phir doosri baat doobti jati hai aur ek dusre ke paas baith jaati hai." (A word is taught once, the second one sinks and the third one sits with the other.)

This quote by Munshi Premchand highlights the importance of repetition in learning. He suggests that a single exposure to information or knowledge isn't enough for it to be fully understood or retained (it sinks). For lasting understanding and mastery, repetition is essential, as demonstrated by the third word sitting with other learned words. This underscores the idea that learning is not just about acquiring new information but also about reinforcing and consolidating what has been learned for long-term retention.


"Prem mein sab se pehle aana padta hai sakhaana." (In love, first comes understanding.)

This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding before love. It suggests that building a strong foundation of understanding is crucial in any romantic relationship. Premchand's words remind us that love should not be based solely on superficial attractions or immediate emotions, but rather on a deep comprehension of one another's thoughts, feelings, and characters. By fostering understanding first, the bond between two individuals can grow stronger, leading to a more meaningful and lasting love.


Trees bear fruits only to be eaten by others; the fields grown grains, but they are consumed by the world. Cows give milk, but she doesn't drink it herself - that is left to others. Clouds send rain only to quench the parched earth. In such giving, there is little space for selfishness.

- Munshi Premchand

Clouds, Consumed, Quench, Cows

As long as the shackles of wealth and property bind us, we will remain accursed forever and never attain the altar of humanity, which is life's ultimate goal.

- Munshi Premchand

Wealth, Ultimate Goal, Which, Property

Secrets of the past! Who does not wish to keep the past locked in a cage like a ferocious beast? The rich are sleepless for fear of thieves. The respectable have to guard their reputations in the same way.

- Munshi Premchand

Like, Reputations, Ferocious, Respectable

If there were a being in the world whose eyes could look into other people's hearts, very few men or women would be able to face up to it.

- Munshi Premchand

Other, Could, Very, Few Men

Wealth and compassion are opposites.

- Munshi Premchand

Compassion, Wealth, Opposites

I will not call that person happy who knows no rest because of his enemies, who is the butt of fun by all and for whom no one has any empathy, who is as if held on a leash by others, who has lost himself in hedonistic pursuits, who preys on those weaker to him and wags his tail for his superiors.

- Munshi Premchand

Happy, Held, Pursuits, Weaker

Like timidity, bravery is also contagious.

- Munshi Premchand

Like, Timidity, Also, Contagious

Illness and problems are the specialties of life. But the death of a child is a cause of mental agony which can be overcome if one concedes this world to be a stage or stadium wherein praiseworthy are those who are not proud of their achievement and those who do not cry at their defeat.

- Munshi Premchand

Death, Achievement, Overcome, Stadium

If someone ensures us two square meals a day, we will sing and pray all our waking hours. If one has to hoe sugarcane all day, devotion to God vanishes like smoke.

- Munshi Premchand

Will, Like, Hours, Vanishes

Boys are quite often whimsical. Whereas girls are modest by nature and know their responsibilities very well. Their weapons are service, sacrifice, and love, by which they conquer over the males.

- Munshi Premchand

Love, Over, Which, Whereas

I believe that if man and woman cherish the same ideals and think alike, then the marriage can be complementary to each other's work instead of being a hindrance.

- Munshi Premchand

Woman, Think, Other, Complementary

Parents are one's companions in life but not partakers of one's karma.

- Munshi Premchand

Life, Parents, Karma, Companions

Since the day Brahma created the world to this day, no one's ever been able to satisfy a wedding guest. They always find some opportunity or other to find fault and criticise. One who can't even afford a dry piece of bread at home becomes a lord at the wedding party.

- Munshi Premchand

Some, Other, Been, Party

We think these big people are very happy, but the truth is they are worse than us. We are just worried about one thing - hunger; they have a thousand worries.

- Munshi Premchand

Think, Big, Very, Worried

The world assumes that we are very happy with high mansions, fine carriages, servants and attendants, huge investments, and concubines. But he who is without the honor and strength of the soul can be anything but happy.

- Munshi Premchand

Strength, Very, Assumes, Mansions

A household can never appear prosperous without a cow. How auspicious it is to wake up in the morning to the mooing of your own cow!

- Munshi Premchand

Wake Up, Own, Cow, Household

Beauty doesn't need ornaments. Softness can't bear the weight of ornaments.

- Munshi Premchand

Beauty, Need, Weight, Ornament

Trust is the first step to love.

- Munshi Premchand

Love, Trust, First Step, To Love

To be successful in life what you need is education, not literacy and degrees.

- Munshi Premchand

Education, Literacy, Need, Successful

What people think in their heart gets out, no matter how much they try to hide it.

- Munshi Premchand

Think, How, How Much, Gets

We all have to die some day. Not very many immortals have shown up in this world.

- Munshi Premchand

Die, Some, Very, Shown

People are so selfish. Those you help are the ones who turn against you.

- Munshi Premchand

Help, Turn, Against, Selfish

The first condition of marriage between a man and a woman is that both must belong to each other totally.

- Munshi Premchand

Woman, Other, Condition, Totally

My life is simple and rough.

- Munshi Premchand

Life, Simple, My Life, Rough

If brothers don't help each other in times of need, how do you think life will ever go on?

- Munshi Premchand

Think, Need, Other, Brothers

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