Shloka 23
हंस–साध्यसंवादः, वाक्-निग्रहः, महाकुल-लक्षणम्, शान्ति-उपायः
Hamsa–Sādhya Dialogue; Restraint of Speech; Marks of Noble Lineage; Means to Peace
न भृत्यानां वृत्तिसंरोधनेन राज्यं धनं॑ संजिघक्षेदपूर्वम् । त्यजन्ति होन॑ वज्चिता वै विरुद्धा: स्निग्धा हामात्या: परिहीनभोगा:
na bhṛtyānāṁ vṛtti-saṁrodhanena rājyaṁ dhanaṁ saṁjighakṣed apūrvam | tyajanti hīna-vacchitā vai viruddhāḥ snigdhā hy amātyāḥ parihīna-bhogāḥ ||
毗度罗劝诫说：君王不可先断绝自家臣仆的生计，借此去图夺他人的国土与财富。若其生路被夺、享用尽失，则往昔亲厚忠诚的重臣，在危急之时也会转为敌对，弃君而去。
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must not undermine his own dependents by cutting off their livelihood; such injustice destroys loyalty and turns even trusted ministers into opponents, leading to political collapse.
In Vidura’s counsel during the Udyoga Parva, he warns the king about practical and moral consequences of oppressive policy: depriving servants and officials of maintenance breeds resentment, rebellion, and abandonment at the very moment the ruler seeks external gain.