Like a fisherman who becometh prosperous by catching
and killing fish, a king can never grow prosperous without tearing the
vitals of his enemy and without doing some violent deeds. The might of thy
foe, as represented by his armed force, should ever be completely
destroyed, by ploughing it up (like weeds) and mowing it down and
otherwise afflicting it by disease, starvation, and want of drink. A
person in want never approacheth (from love) one in affluence; and when
one's purpose hath been accomplished, one hath no need to approach him
whom he had hitherto looked to for its accomplishment. Therefore, when
thou doest anything never do it completely, but ever leave something to be
desired for by others (whose services thou mayest need). One who is
desirous of prosperity should with diligence seek allies and means, and
carefully conduct his wars. His exertions in these respects should always
be guided by prudence. A prudent king should ever act in such a way that
friends and foes may never know his motive before the commencement of his
acts. Let them know all when the act hath been commenced or ended, and as
long as danger doth not come, so long only shall thou act as if thou art
afraid. But when it hath overtaken thee, thou must grapple with it
courageously. He who trusteth in a foe who hath been brought under
subjection by force, summoneth his own death as a crab by her act of
conception. Thou shouldst always reckon the future act as already arrived
(and concert measures for meeting it), else, from want of calmness caused
by haste, thou mayest overlook an important point in meeting it when it is
before thee.
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