2.1.14. Selection and Employment
511 Who good and evil scanning, ever makes the good his joy; Such man of virtuous mood should king employ. He should be employed (by a king), whose nature leads him to choose the good, after having weighed both the evil and the good in any undertaking.
512 Who swells the revenues, spreads plenty o’er the land, Seeks out what hinders progress, his the workman’s hand. Let him do (the king’s) work who can enlarge the sources (of revenue), increase wealth and considerately prevent the accidents (which would destroy it).
513 A loyal love with wisdom, clearness, mind from avarice free; Who hath these four good gifts should ever trusted be. Let the choice (of a king) fall upon him who largely possesses these four things, love, knowledge, a clear mind and freedom from covetousness.
514 Even when tests of every kind are multiplied, Full many a man proves otherwise, by action tried! Even when (a king) has tried them in every possible way, there are many men who change, from the nature of the works (in which they may be employed).
515 No specious fav’rite should the king’s commission bear, But he that knows, and work performs with patient care. 64 (A king’s) work can only be accomplished by a man of wisdom and patient endurance; it is not of a nature to be given to one from mere personal attachment.
516 Let king first ask, ‘Who shall the deed perform?’ and ‘What the deed?’ Of hour befitting both assured, let every work proceed. Let (a king) act, after having considered the agent (whom he is to employ), the deed (he desires to do), and the time which is suitable to it.
517 ‘This man, this work shall thus work out,’ let thoughtful king command; Then leave the matter wholly in his servant’s hand. After having considered, “this man can accomplish this, by these means”, let (the king) leave with him the discharge of that duty.
518 As each man’s special aptitude is known, Bid each man make that special work his own. Having considered what work a man is fit for, let (the king) employ him in that work.
519 Fortune deserts the king who ill can bear, Informal friendly ways of men his tolls who share. Prosperity will leave (the king) who doubts the friendship of the man who steadily labours in the discharge of his duties.
520 Let king search out his servants’ deeds each day; When these do right, the world goes rightly on its way. Let a king daily examine the conduct of his servants; if they do not act crookedly, the world will not act crookedly.
2.1.1 5. Cherishing one’s Kindred
521 When wealth is fled, old kindness still to show, Is kindly grace that only kinsmen know. Even when (a man’s) property is all gone, relatives will act towards him with their accustomed (kindness).
522 The gift of kin’s unfailing love bestows Much gain of good, like flower that fadeless blows. If (a man’s) relatives remain attached to him with unchanging love, it will be a source of everincreasing wealth.
523 His joy of life who mingles not with kinsmen gathered round, Is lake where streams pour in, with no encircling bound. 65 The wealth of one who does not mingle freely with his relatives, will be like the filling of water in a spacious tank that has no banks.
524 The profit gained by wealth’s increase, Is living compassed round by relatives in peace. To live surrounded by relatives, is the advantage to be derived from the acquisition of wealth.
525 Who knows the use of pleasant words, and liberal gifts can give, Connections, heaps of them, surrounding him shall live. He will be surrounded by numerous relatives who manifests generosity and affability.
526 Than one who gifts bestows and wrath restrains, Through the wide world none larger following gains. No one, in all the world, will have so many relatives (about him), as he who makes large gift, and does not give way to anger.
527 The crows conceal not, call their friends to come, then eat; Increase of good such worthy ones shall meet. The crows do not conceal (their prey), but will call out for others (to share with them) while they eat it; wealth will be with those who show a similar disposition (towards their relatives).
528 Where king regards not all alike, but each in his degree, ‘Neath such discerning rule many dwell happily. Many relatives will live near a king, when they observe that he does not look on all alike, but that he looks on each man according to his merit.
529 Who once were his, and then forsook him, as before Will come around, when cause of disagreement is no more. Those who have been friends and have afterwards forsaken him, will return and join themselves (to him), when the cause of disagreement is not to be found in him.
530 Who causeless went away, then to return, for any cause, ask leave; The king should sift their motives well, consider, and receive! When one may have left him, and for some cause has returned to him, let the king fulfil the object (for which he has come back) and thoughtfully receive him again.