Sutra 43

Devanagari script

समेनैकेन द्वाभ्यां हीनाभ्यां वेति द्वाभ्यां हीनाभ्यां श्रेयः ॥ कZ_०७.५.४३ ॥

Transliteration

samena ekena dvābhyāṃ hīnābhyāṃ veti dvābhyāṃ hīnābhyāṃ śreyaḥ

Translation

与其与一个势均力敌的盟友同行，或与两个较弱的盟友同行，不如与两个较弱的盟友同行更为有利。

Word by Word

• समेन: with an equal (force/means)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम
• Form: तृतीया-एकवचनम् (नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्गे साधारण-प्रयोगः); विशेषणम्

• एकेन: with one (unit/party)
• Type: Numeral/Adjective
• Root: एक
• Form: तृतीया-एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• द्वाभ्याम्: with two
• Type: Numeral/Adjective
• Root: द्वि
• Form: तृतीया- द्विवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• हीनाभ्याम्: with two that are inferior/deficient
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हीन
• Form: तृतीया- द्विवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: अव्ययम्; विकल्पार्थक-निपातः

• इति: thus (so stated)
• Type: Particle
• Root: इति
• Form: अव्ययम्; उद्धरण/समाप्त्यर्थकः

• द्वाभ्याम्: with two
• Type: Numeral/Adjective
• Root: द्वि
• Form: तृतीया- द्विवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• हीनाभ्याम्: with two that are inferior/deficient
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हीन
• Form: तृतीया- द्विवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• श्रेयः: (it is) better / preferable
• Type: Noun (comparative used substantively)
• Root: श्रेयस्
• Form: प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (नपुंसकलिङ्गम्); विधेय-नाम

Entities Mentioned

• equal ally
• two weaker allies

More Details

FAQs

Why prefer two weaker allies to one equal ally?

Two weaker allies are easier to coordinate and less able to impose terms; they also compete for the leader’s favor, reducing collective bargaining against the principal.