Shloka 3.37.14
मारीचोपदेशः — Maricha’s Counsel to Ravana (On Rama’s Dharma and the Peril of Abduction)
कथं त्वं तस्य वैदेहीं रक्षितां स्वेन तेजसा।इच्छसि प्रसभं हर्तुं प्रभामिव विवस्वतः।।।।
sulabhāḥ puruṣā rājan satataṃ priyavādinaḥ | apriyasya tu pathyasya vaktā śrotā ca durlabhaḥ ||
O King, men who always speak what is pleasing are easy to find; but rare is one who will speak what is unpleasant yet wholesome—and rare as well is one who will listen to it.
Sita is protected by the strength of her character. How do you desire to carry her away forcibly (from Rama) ? Can any one separate the radiance of the Sun from the Sun itself ?
Dharma here is truthful, welfare-oriented speech (pathya) over mere pleasantness; wisdom requires both the courage to advise and the humility to hear hard truths.
Mārīca begins advising Rāvaṇa, warning him that flattering words are common but beneficial counsel—though unpleasant—is rare.
The virtue of satya-hita-vākya: speaking truth for another’s good, and the parallel virtue of being receptive to correction.