मध्यमश्चेदनुगृहीतो विगुणः स्यादमित्रोऽतिसंधत्ते ॥ कZ_०७.८.२२ ॥
madhyamaś ced anugṛhīto viguṇaḥ syād amitro ’tisaṃdhatte
Jika raja tengah diberi dukungan/keberpihakan, ia bisa menjadi ‘cacat’ (tidak andal/berperilaku buruk); dan musuh sebagai tanggapan melakukan atisandhi (berkomitmen/bersekutu secara berlebihan).
Moral hazard: once supported, a partner may slacken discipline, demand more, or act contrary to the supporter’s interests.
The opponent may react by over-investing in alternative coalitions or concessions to neutralize the advantage created by your support to the madhyama.