friends, foes and strangers are about? Makest thou peace and makest thou
war at proper times? Observest thou neutrality towards strangers and
persons that are neutral towards thee? And, O hero, hast thou made persons
like thyself, persons that are old, continent in behaviour, capable of
understanding what should be done and what should not, pure as regards
birth and blood, and devoted to thee, thy ministers? O Bharata, the
victories of kings can be attributed to good counsels. O child, is thy
kingdom protected by ministers learned in Sastras, keeping their counsels
close? Are thy foes unable to injure it? Thou hast not become the slave of
sleep? Wakest thou at the proper time? Conversant with pursuits yielding
profit, thinkest thou, during the small hours of night, as to what thou
shouldst do and what thou shouldst not do the next day? Thou settlest
nothing alone, nor takest counsels with many? The counsels thou hast
resolved upon, do not become known all over thy kingdom? Commencest thou
soon to accomplish measures of great utility that are easy of
accomplishment? Such measures are never obstructed? Keepest thou the
agriculturists not out of thy sight? They do not fear to approach thee?
Achievest thou thy measures through persons that are trusted
incorruptible, and possessed of practical experience? And, O brave king, I
hope, people only know the measures already accomplished by thee and those
that have been partially accomplished and are awaiting completion, but not
those that are only in contemplation and uncommenced? Have experienced
teachers capable of explaining the causes of things and learned in the
science of morals and every branch of learning, been appointed to instruct
the princes and the chiefs of the army? Buyest thou a single learned man
by giving in exchange a thousand ignorant individuals? The man that is
learned conferreth the greatest benefit in seasons of distress. Are thy
forts always filled with treasure, food, weapons, water, engines and
instruments, as also with engineers and bowmen? Even a single minister
that is intelligent, brave, with his passions under complete control, and