Shloka 9
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
अनित्यचित्त: पुरुषस्तस्मिन् को जातु विश्वसेत् | तस्मात्प्रधानं यत् कार्य प्रत्यक्ष तत् समाचरेत्
anityacittaḥ puruṣas tasmin ko jātu viśvaset | tasmāt pradhānaṃ yat kāryaṃ pratyakṣaṃ tat samācaret ||
毗湿摩说道：“人的心念无常；又有谁能在任何时候信任他呢？因此，凡真正首要而必需之事，都应当在自己眼前亲自办成。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Because human intentions and moods change, trust should be measured; crucial duties should be executed promptly and under one’s direct supervision rather than left to uncertain future intentions.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma offers pragmatic counsel on governance and conduct, warning about the unreliability of fluctuating minds and urging completion of essential tasks without delay.