Shloka 21
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
न चाददीत वित्तानि सतां हस्तात् कदाचन । असदभ्यश्न॒ समादद्यात् सद्भधयस्तु प्रतिपादयेत्
na cādadīta vittāni satāṁ hastāt kadācana | asadbhyaś ca samādad yāt sadbhyaḥ tu pratipādayet ||
毗湿摩说道：切不可从贤善之人手中夺取财物。至于恶人，则可作为惩罚而征取其财；而对贤者，宁可施与扶持，不可加害。其伦理要旨在于：刑罚与强制征取，是为遏止作恶而设，并非用来榨取善良之人。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Coercive taking of wealth is justified only as punishment from wrongdoers; the virtuous should never be exploited and should instead be supported through giving.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma advises the ruler/listener on just conduct regarding wealth: avoid harming the good, restrain the wicked through penalties, and uphold the virtuous by providing aid.