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202. Between a villain and a snake, the latter is

preferable; the snake bites from time to time, while a

villain is always dangerous.
 

 
INTRODUCTION
 

 
203. The king should choose men of high descent:

they will never be disloyal to him.
 

 
204. At the time of deluge the oceans are said to

exceed their limits, but good people will never do so.

205. A single wise man is preferred to a thousand
fools.
 

fools.
 
206. The king should employ a man of good

qualities, and avoid one who is without them; in a wise

man one finds all good qualities; while in a fool faults.
only.
 

only.
 
207. The king's officials should be dignified,

polite in speech, self-restrained, truthful, and endowed

with clear vision and insight.
 

 
208. If the king employs a wise man, he brings

honour, wealth, and heaven.
 

 
209. If the king employs a fool, he brings
dishonour, loss of wealth, and hell.
 

dishonour, loss of wealth, and hell.
 
210. Therefore, the king should employ persons

of good qualities in order to promote dharma, artha and

kāma.
 

 
211. The king should avoid employing persons

who are fraudulent, dishonest, cruel, without zeal,

incompetent, and cowardly.
 

 
212. The king should avoid employing persons

without patience and devotion; who are adversaries;

who are greedy; who are weak; and who are extremely

cowardly.