Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 15
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
अमानी सत्यवान क्षान्तो जितात्मा मानसंयुत: । स ते मन्त्रसहाय: स्यात् सर्वावस्थापरीक्षित:
amānī satyavān kṣānto jitātmā mānasaṁyutaḥ | sa te mantrasahāyaḥ syāt sarvāvasthāparīkṣitaḥ ||
毗湿摩说：“当以不矜不伐、诚实、忍耐、自制、心志有纪律之人为密议之助。唯有此等在世间诸般境遇中皆经考验之人，才堪辅佐你进行秘密筹议。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should choose a confidential adviser only if he is humble, truthful, patient, self-mastered, mentally disciplined, and—most importantly—proven reliable across all circumstances; ethical steadiness is the basis of trust in counsel.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous governance, Bhīṣma lays down criteria for selecting a person fit to assist in secret deliberations, emphasizing tested character over mere ability.