चाणक्यराजनीतिः /60

INTRODUCTION
 

 
31
 

 
130. One should not always be too straight-

forward: in a forest straight trees are cut down, while
the crooked ones are left standing.
 

the crooked ones are left standing.
 
131-3. The king should use only sweet speech:
in this way he will secure friends.
 

in this way he will secure friends.
 
134-6. The king should overcome the enemy by

every means in his power: whether it be by peace or

concession; or by sowing dissension; or by invasion;

or by show of strength. The help of another enemy
who is under obligation to the king should also be used

who is under obligation to the king should also be used
for this purpose.
 

 
137. An enemy, gentle or violent, should be

overcome by gentle means.
 

 
138-9. An enemy can be overcome by unity.
 

 
140. The king threatened with the possibility of

losing wealth or life, should bend low before an enemy

in order to save his own life.
 

 
141. According to time and circumstances a king
should make alliance with an enemy or wage war with
friends.
 

should make alliance with an enemy or wage war with
friends.
 
142. One should carry an enemy on one's own

shoulders as long as the time is adverse, but break him
at the right time.
 

at the right time.
 
143-4. The enemy should not know the weak-

nesses of the king, but the king should know the
weaknesses of his enemy.
 

weaknesses of his enemy.
 
145. Weak points of an enemy should be

investigated, while one's own weak points should be
concealed.
 

concealed.