2023-03-12 23:54:00 by Jayashree
This page does not need to be proofread.
30
CĀŅAKYA-RĀJA-NĪTI
III. KING'S FRIENDS, ENEMIES, WAR, PEACE,
ALLIANCES, STRATAGEM
Friends and Enemies
117. A friend is one who stands by in times of
illness, in adversity, in case of famine, in war, at a king's
door, and at the burial place.
118. Friends who speak sweetly in one's presence
and slander behind one's back should be avoided.
119. Alliance with friends leads to prosperity for
the king.
120. Good qualities, even of an enemy, should be
recognized.
121. One who trusts an enemy is doomed.
122. Confidence should never be placed in an
enemy even after reconciliation.
123-4. A man who does not trust us should not
be trusted; even a man who trusts us should not be
trusted too much.
trusted too much.
125. An enemy should be overcome completely,
because like a fire he can become strong again.
126-7. An enemy, however weak he may be,
should not be disregarded: he may prove dangerous
like a spark of fire destroying a forest or a stack of hay.
128. Even offsprings of an enemy should not be
spared: they could prove to be dangerous.
Use of Stratagem
129. The king should use ruse: what cannot be
gained by force can be gained by ruse.
gained by force can be gained by ruse.
CĀŅAKYA-RĀJA-NĪTI
III. KING'S FRIENDS, ENEMIES, WAR, PEACE,
ALLIANCES, STRATAGEM
Friends and Enemies
117. A friend is one who stands by in times of
illness, in adversity, in case of famine, in war, at a king's
door, and at the burial place.
118. Friends who speak sweetly in one's presence
and slander behind one's back should be avoided.
119. Alliance with friends leads to prosperity for
the king.
120. Good qualities, even of an enemy, should be
recognized.
121. One who trusts an enemy is doomed.
122. Confidence should never be placed in an
enemy even after reconciliation.
123-4. A man who does not trust us should not
be trusted; even a man who trusts us should not be
trusted too much.
trusted too much.
125. An enemy should be overcome completely,
because like a fire he can become strong again.
126-7. An enemy, however weak he may be,
should not be disregarded: he may prove dangerous
like a spark of fire destroying a forest or a stack of hay.
128. Even offsprings of an enemy should not be
spared: they could prove to be dangerous.
Use of Stratagem
129. The king should use ruse: what cannot be
gained by force can be gained by ruse.
gained by force can be gained by ruse.