Shloka 17
Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)
क्षत्रियेषु न विश्वास: कार्य: सर्वापकारिषु । अपकृत्यापि सतत सान्त्वयन्ति निरर्थकम्
kṣatriyeṣu na viśvāsaḥ kāryaḥ sarvāpakāriṣu | apakṛtyāpi satataṃ sāntvayanti nirarthakam ||
ビーシュマは言った。「あらゆる手段で害をなそうとするクシャトリヤを信じてはならぬ。たとえ傷つけた後であっても、彼らは繰り返し慰めの言葉を口にするが——その慰めは結局、空虚で真の用をなさぬ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma warns that trust should be withheld from those whose nature is to harm; soothing words offered after wrongdoing can be strategic and empty, so ethical discernment must outweigh pleasant speech.
In the instruction-filled Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma continues advising on conduct and statecraft, cautioning the listener against relying on warrior-rulers who injure others and then attempt to pacify them with futile consolations.