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34.
 

 
CĀŅAKYA-RĀJA-NĪTI
 

 
181. Officials (ministers) abandon a fallen king.

No confidence can be placed in royalty. (cf. 267)
 

 
Service in the King's Court from the Point of View of the King
 

 
182. The ornaments of the king are his officials.

183. The king needs officials (assistants): no

undertaking without an official succeeds.
 

 
184-7. Without his officials (ministers) a king

perishes.
 

 
188-9. Whatever is done by the officials affects

the king, good or bad.
 

 
190. The king is ruined by bad counsel.
 

 
191-3. A bad official (minister) brings ruin to
the king.
 

the king.
 
194. Life is miserable for the king who has an

official contradicting him.
 

 
195. Kings guided by cunning ministers will not

be served by wise men.
 

 
Choice of King's Officials
 

 
196-7. There are three kinds of king's officials:

excellent, bad, and mediocre; they are to be assigned

duties suited to their capacities.
 

 
198. It is difficult to find officials who are not lazy;

who are fully contented; who are vigilant; who are alike

in times of joy and grief; and who are courageous.
 

 
199-200. The king's officials are tested like gold.

201. The value of officials is to be known when

they are discharging their duties.