Shloka 18
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
तं शक््त्या वर्धमानश्न सर्वतः परिबृंहयेत् । नित्यं क्षताद् वारयति यो धर्मेष्वपि कर्मसु
taṁ śaktyā vardhamānaś ca sarvataḥ paribṛṁhayet | nityaṁ kṣatād vārayati yo dharmeṣv api karmasu ||
毗湿摩说：“当自身能力与富足日增之时，应尽其所能扶持那人（国王），使其四方安泰、福祉充盈。真正的朋友，是那即便从事法（dharma）之业，亦常常竭力护王免于损失，并一念及王之受害便忧惧不安者。凡希求国王损失与覆亡之人，当视为其敌。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A true friend is defined by active, continual concern for the ruler’s welfare: using one’s growing capacity to strengthen him, and preventing his loss even while pursuing dharmic duties; those wishing the ruler’s ruin are enemies.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma and conduct, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on how to recognize genuine allies: friends protect and promote the king’s prosperity, whereas those who seek his harm are to be treated as foes.