Shloka 14
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
सम्प्रधार्य सहामात्यैर्मन्त्रविद्धिर्महात्मभि: । उपेक्ष्यमाणो5वज्ञातो हृदयेनापराजित:
sampradhārya sahāmātyair mantraviddhir mahātmabhiḥ | upekṣyamāṇo 'vajñāto hṛdayenāparājitaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“与诸大臣——那些胸怀宏大、精于谋议之人——细密商度之后，即便遭人冷落与轻蔑，他在心中仍不为所屈，内里不败而坚守。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler (or any leader) should deliberate wisely with capable ministers and maintain inner steadiness; even if ignored or insulted, one should remain inwardly undefeated—guided by reasoned counsel rather than wounded pride.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous governance and conduct, Bhīṣma continues advising on the qualities and resilience of a prudent leader: after consulting skilled advisers, he endures neglect and contempt without inner collapse.