Shloka 5
दीर्घदर्शी–दीर्घसूत्र–संप्रतिपत्तिमान् आख्यानम्
The Parable of Foresight, Procrastination, and Presence of Mind
बह्वदपथ्यं बलवति न किंचित् क्रियते भयात् । उभौ सत्याधिकारस्थौ त्रायेते महतो भयात्
bahv apathyaṁ balavati na kiṁcit kriyate bhayāt | ubhau satyādhikārasthau trāyete mahato bhayāt ||
毗湿摩说道：即便强者满身都是有害的过失，出于恐惧，也无人敢对他有所作为，甚至不敢公开议论。然而当力量与正法同立于真实（satya）之上，它们便能护人免于大惧；因为受真理约束的权力，会成为庇护，而非威胁。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unchecked power breeds fear and silences criticism even when wrongdoing is obvious; but power joined with dharma and firmly rooted in satya becomes protective and stabilizing, removing great fear.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous rule and conduct, Bhishma warns about the social paralysis caused by fear of the strong, and then states the remedy: strength must be anchored in truth and righteousness to safeguard society and the individual.