Shloka 28
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
कुलीन: शीलसम्पन्नस्तितिक्षुरविकत्थन: । शुरक्षार्याश्न विद्वांश्व प्रतिपत्तिविशारद:
kulīnaḥ śīlasampannastitikṣur avikatthanaḥ | śūraḥ kṣāryaś ca vidvāṁś ca pratipattiviśāradaḥ ||
毗湿摩说：当择其为臣者，应出身高贵，品行端正，能忍受艰难，不以虚妄自夸；又须真正勇武，堪受敬礼，学识渊博，并善于分辨当为与不当为。此等之人，足以托付国王一切政务。君主当以礼相待，供给安适与所需资具；如此尊崇而养之，他们便能成为治国之业中可靠而有力的辅佐。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should select ministers by virtue and competence—nobility of conduct, patience, humility (no boasting), courage, learning, and sound practical judgment—and then sustain them with honor and adequate support so they can serve effectively.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma is advising the ruler on statecraft: who is fit to be appointed as a minister and how such counselors should be treated to ensure stable and capable governance.