Shloka 18
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
मेधावी धारणायुक्तो यथान्यायोपपादक: । दान्त: सदा प्रियाभाषी क्षमावांक्ष विपर्यये
medhāvī dhāraṇāyukto yathānyāyopapādakaḥ | dāntaḥ sadā priyābhāṣī kṣamāvāṁś ca viparyaye ||
Bhishma dit : «L’homme digne doit être intelligent et pourvu de constance d’esprit ; capable d’agir et de raisonner selon ce qui est juste ; maître de lui-même ; toujours doux et agréable dans sa parole ; et, même face à l’opposition ou à la provocation, habité par le pardon.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma lists ethical qualities that sustain dharma: intelligence guided by steadiness, acting according to justice, restraint of the senses, gentle speech, and forgiveness even under provocation or adverse circumstances.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Bhishma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira by describing the virtues that should characterize a disciplined and dharmic person (especially fitting for rulers and leaders).