the wealth of the country. One acquainted with the Nîti causes them to come into his territory.
114.
A crow coining at night to an owl's habitation, dies; an owl coming during the day to the crow's, also dies; a crocodile dies coming on land, a tiger coming into the water.
115.
Thus a king, not knowing the country and the proper time for battle, makes war. He, arriving in the enemy's kingdom and being deficient in forces, should bear in mind the words of the wise.
116.
He should not, being intoxicated with pride, despise the enemy, thinking he will be overcome; he should not relax his efforts—he should always be diligent.
117.
Verily small enemies[1] are like fire-poison. The rampant elephant on the difficult mountain paths, although he has the strength of ten thousand soldiers, is subdued by men: being tied to a post, he rids himself of the temporal juice.
118.
The king should rule, first of all having constructed a fort, surrounded it with a rampart, and provided it fully with weapons, projectiles, and other munitions of war.[2]
119.
He should then maintain guards as vigilant as himself,
- ↑ "A little fire burns up an entire forest by gaining shelter in it." —Mahâbhârata, i. 5553.
- ↑ "He should construct a fort with a great moat, surrounded by a high rampart, having engines, water, and rock, with the protection of a river, a desert, and a forest." —Hitopadeśa, iii. 55. See Manu, vii. 70–76; Vishṇu, iii. 6.
