Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)
नित्य॑ बुद्धिमतो<प्यर्थ: स्वल्पको5पि विवर्धते । दाक्ष्येण कुर्वतः कर्म संयमात् प्रतितिष्ठति
nityaṁ buddhimato 'py arthaḥ svalpako 'pi vivardhate | dākṣyeṇa kurvataḥ karma saṁyamāt pratitiṣṭhati ||
नित्यं बुद्धिमतोऽप्यर्थः स्वल्पकोऽपि विवर्धते । दाक्ष्येण कुर्वतः कर्म संयमात् प्रतितिष्ठति ॥
ब्रह्मदत्त उवाच
Intelligence makes even small resources grow; skillful work (dākṣya) and disciplined self-restraint (saṁyama) give a person stable standing and enduring prosperity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on right conduct and governance, Brahmadatta offers a maxim on livelihood: prosperity is secured not merely by having wealth, but by competent action and self-control that stabilize one’s life and reputation.