Shloka 8
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
समृद्धा गुणतः: केचिद् भवन्ति धनतो<परे । धनवृद्धान् गुणैहीनान् धृतराष्ट्र विवर्जय
samṛddhā guṇataḥ kecid bhavanti dhanato 'pare | dhanavṛddhān guṇaihīnān dhṛtarāṣṭra vivarjaya ||
اے دھرتراشٹر! کچھ لوگ اوصاف کے سبب خوشحال ہوتے ہیں اور کچھ دولت کے سبب۔ جو دولت میں بڑھے ہوئے ہوں مگر خوبیوں سے خالی ہوں، انہیں بالکل ترک کر دو۔
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True worth is measured by guṇa (virtue and character), not merely by dhana (wealth). A ruler should not favor or keep close those who are wealthy but lack moral qualities, because such association corrupts governance and dharma.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-setting, Vidura addresses King Dhṛtarāṣṭra with ethical guidance, urging him to discriminate in whom he supports and associates with—specifically to reject wealthy yet unprincipled persons.