Shloka 8
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
असाधु: साधुतामेति साधुर्भवति दारुण: । अरिश्व मित्र भवति मित्र चापि प्रदुष्पति
asādhuḥ sādhutām eti sādhur bhavati dāruṇaḥ | ariś ca mitraṃ bhavati mitraṃ cāpi praduṣyati ||
毗湿摩说道：恶人或可转而为善，善人亦可能变得残酷。仇敌能化为朋友，而朋友也会败坏变质。既然人心无常，怎能在每一刻都对任何人尽信不疑？因此，凡属要务，当在自己眼前亲自办成——不可把它托付给人意之变幻无定。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
People’s dispositions can change—bad may become good, good may become cruel; enemies may become friends and friends may deteriorate. Because the mind is unstable, one should be cautious in trust and ensure crucial duties are completed directly and promptly rather than relying on others’ unchanging loyalty.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and polity, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira with practical ethical counsel: do not assume permanence in relationships or character; act with vigilance and complete essential responsibilities without delay.