Shloka 40
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
अस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य पुरुषस्याप्रमादिन: । अमित्रा: संप्रसीदन्ति तथा मित्रीभवन्त्यपि
asyaivaṁ vartamānasya puruṣasyāpramādinaḥ | amitrāḥ saṁprasīdanti tathā mitrībhavanty api ||
Bhīṣma dit : Lorsqu’un homme se conduit ainsi—toujours vigilant et sans négligence—même ses ennemis s’apaisent ; bien plus, ils en viennent à le traiter avec l’égard dû à des amis.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steady vigilance and careful, disciplined conduct (apramāda) have a pacifying power: they reduce friction, prevent provocations, and can soften even adversaries into friendly relations.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous living and practical ethics, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira. Here he states that a person who consistently behaves with alertness and without negligence can win over even enemies, who then begin to act like friends.