2.2 Ministers of State
2.2.1. The Office of Minister of state
631 A minister is he who grasps, with wisdom large, Means, time, work’s mode, and functions rare he must discharge. The minister is one who can make an excellent choice of means, time, manner of execution, and the difficult undertaking (itself).
632 A minister must greatness own of guardian power, determined mind, Learn’d wisdom, manly effort with the former five combined. 78 The minister is one who in addition to the aforesaid five things excels in the possession of firmness, protection of subjects, clearness by learning, and perseverance.
633 A minister is he whose power can foes divide, Attach more firmly friends, of severed ones can heal the breaches wide. The minister is one who can effect discord (among foes), maintain the good-will of his friends and restore to friendship those who have seceded (from him).
634 A minister has power to see the methods help afford, To ponder long, then utter calm conclusive word. The minister is one who is able to comprehend (the whole nature of an undertaking), execute it in the best manner possible, and offer assuring advice (in time of necessity).
635 The man who virtue knows, has use of wise and pleasant words. With plans for every season apt, in counsel aid affords. He is the best helper (of the king) who understanding the duties, of the latter, is by his special learning, able to tender the fullest advice, and at all times conversant with the best method (of performing actions).
636 When native subtilty combines with sound scholastic lore, ‘Tis subtilty surpassing all, which nothing stands before. What (contrivances) are there so acute as to resist those who possess natural acuteness in addition to learning ?.
637 Though knowing all that books can teach, ’tis truest tact To follow common sense of men in act. Though you are acquainted with the (theoretical) methods (of performing an act), understand the ways of the world and act accordingly.
638 ‘Tis duty of the man in place aloud to say The very truth, though unwise king may cast his words away. Although the king be utterly ignorant, it is the duty of the minister to give (him) sound advice.
639 A minister who by king’s side plots evil things Worse woes than countless foemen brings. Far better are seventy crores of enemies (for a king) than a minister at his side who intends (his) ruin.
640 For gain of end desired just counsel nought avails To minister, when tact in execution fails. Those ministers who are destitute of (executive) ability will fail to carry out their projects, although they may have contrived aright.
7 9 2.2.2. Power in Speech
641 A tongue that rightly speaks the right is greatest gain, It stands alone midst goodly things that men obtain. The possession of that goodness which is called the goodness of speech is (even to others) better than any other goodness.
642 Since gain and loss in life on speech depend, From careless slip in speech thyself defend. Since (both) wealth and evil result from (their) speech, ministers should most carefully guard themselves against faultiness therein.
643 ‘Tis speech that spell-bound holds the listening ear, While those who have not heard desire to hear. The (minister’s) speech is that which seeks (to express) elements as bind his friends (to himself) and is so delivered as to make even his enemies desire (his friendship).
644 Speak words adapted well to various hearers’ state; No higher virtue lives, no gain more surely great. Understand the qualities (of your hearers) and (then) make your speech; for superior to it, there is neither virtue nor wealth.
645 Speak out your speech, when once ’tis past dispute That none can utter speech that shall your speech refute. Deliver your speech, after assuring yourself that no counter speech can defeat your own.
646 Charming each hearer’s ear, of others’ words to seize the sense, Is method wise of men of spotless excellence. It is the opinion of those who are free from defects in diplomacy that the minister should speak so as to make his hearers desire (to hear more) and grasp the meaning of what he hears himself.
647 Mighty in word, of unforgetful mind, of fearless speech, ‘Tis hard for hostile power such man to overreach. It is impossible for any one to conquer him by intrique who possesses power of speech, and is neither faulty nor timid.
648 Swiftly the listening world will gather round, When men of mighty speech the weighty theme propound. If there be those who can speak on various subjects in their proper order and in a pleasing manner, the world would readily accept them. 80
649 Who have not skill ten faultless words to utter plain, Their tongues will itch with thousand words man’s ears to pain. They will desire to utter many words, who do not know how to speak a few faultless ones.
650 Like scentless flower in blooming garland bound Are men who can’t their lore acquired to other’s ears expound. Those who are unable to set forth their acquirements (before others) are like flowers blossoming in a cluster and yet without fragrance.