herefore, O monarch, restrain those
subjects of his that are sinful. The king that neglects to restrain them
becomes himself sinful. He earns (as already said) a fourth part of their
sins as he does a fourth part of their merits. The following faults of
which I speak should be checked. They are such as impoverish everyone.
What wicked act is there that a person governed by passion would not do?
A person governed by passion indulges in stimulants and meat, and
appropriates the wives and the wealth of other people, and sets a bad
example (for imitation by others). They that do not live upon alms may
beg in seasons of distress. The king should, observant of righteousness,
make gifts unto them from compassion but not from fear. Let there be no
beggars in thy kingdom, nor robbers. It is the robbers (and not virtuous
men) that give unto beggars. Such givers are not real benefactors of men.
Let such men reside in thy dominions as advance the interests of others
and do them good, but not such as exterminate others. Those officers, O
king, that take from the subjects more than what is due should be
punished. Thou shouldst then appoint others so that these will take only
what is due. Agriculture, rearing of cattle, trade and other acts of a
similar nature, should be caused to be carried on by many persons on the
principle of division of labour.[255] If a person engaged in agriculture,
cattle-rearing, or trade, becomes inspired with a sense of insecurity (in
consequence of thieves and tyrannical officers), the king, as a
consequence, incurs infamy. The king should always honour those subjects
of his that are rich and should say unto them, 'Do ye, with me, advance
the interest of the people.' In every kingdom, they that are wealthy
constitute an estate in the realm. Without doubt, a wealthy person is the
foremost of men.[256] He that is wise, or courageous, or wealthy or
influential, or righteous, or engaged in penances, or truthful in speech,
or gifted with intelligence, assists in protecting (his fellow subjects).

"'"For these reasons, O monarch, do thou love all creatures, and display
the qualities of truth, sincerity, absence of wrath, and abstention from
injury! Thou shouldst thus wield the rod of chastisement, and enhance thy
treasury and support thy friends and consolidate thy kingdom thus,
practising the qualities of truthfulness and sincerity and supported by
thy friends, treasury and forces!"'"

SECTION LXXXIX

"'B