Shloka 14
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
समर्थान् पूजयेद् यश्न नास्पर्ध: स्पर्थते च यः । न च कामाद् भयात् क्रोधाल्लोभाद् वा धर्ममुत्सूजेत्
bhīṣma uvāca | samarthān pūjayed yaś ca nāspardhaḥ spardhate ca yaḥ | na ca kāmād bhayāt krodhāl lobhād vā dharmam utsṛjet |
毗湿摩说：当敬重有能力而配受敬重之人。合格的谋臣，不因卑劣的争胜心而竞逐，也不嫉妒那些本不堪竞争之辈；并且不在欲望、恐惧、愤怒或贪婪的逼迫下背弃达摩。如此坚定、远离下劣冲动者，方可托付机密议事。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should respect the truly capable, and choose confidential advisers who remain anchored in dharma—unmoved by desire, fear, anger, or greed—and who avoid petty rivalry and envy.
In the Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on statecraft and ethical governance; here he lists traits that qualify a person to be trusted in secret counsel and high responsibility.