The Science of Wealth is a collection of aphorisms attributed to the adviser of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the greatest empire in Indian history. Ranging from politics, statecraft, diplomacy, and warfare to management of personal, social, and business affairs, this practical philosophy is considered key to Chandragupta's success. According to the original author, who has been compared to Aristotle and Machiavelli, "Religious scriptures deal with right and wrong, economics deals with wealth and poverty, politics deals with good and bad policies. Examining logically, philosophy benefits the world, stabilizing the intellect in both adversity and prosperity. Philosophy is perennially regarded as a lamp for all sciences, a means for all tasks, a refuge for all religions." Translated from the original Sanskrit by Thomas Cleary, whose works include numerous translations of philosophical and religious texts from Sanskrit, Chinese, and Gaelic.