should never be scorned however contemptible. A spark of fire is capable of consuming an extensive forest if only if can spread from one object to another in proximity. Kings should sometimes feign blindness and deafness, for if impotent to chastise they should pretend not to notice the faults that call for chastisement. On occasions such as these let them regard their bows as made of straw. But they should be always alert like a herd of deer sleeping in the woods. When thy foe is in thy power destroy him by every means open or secret. Do not show him any mercy although he seeketh thy protection. A foe or one that hath once injured thee should be destroyed by lavishing money if necessary, for by killing him thou mayst be at your ease. The dead can never inspire fear. Thou must destroy the three, five and seven (resources) of thy foes. Thou must destroy thy foes, completely tearing them up by their roots. Then shouldst thou destroy their allies and partisans. The allies and partisans can never exist if the principals are destroyed. If the root of the tree is torn up the branches and twigs can never exist as before. Carefully concealing thy own means and ends, thou shouldst always watch thy foes, always seeking their flaws. Thou shouldst, O king, rule thy kingdom always anxiously watching thy foes. By maintaining the perpetual fire, by sacrifices, by brown cloths, by matted locks, and by hides of animals for thy bedding, shouldst thou at first gain the confidence of thy foes, and when thou hast gained it thou shouldst then spring upon them like a wolf. For it hath been said that in the acquisition of wealth even the garb of holiness might be employed as a hooked staff to bend down a branch in order to pluck the fruits that are ripe. The method followed in the plucking of fruits should be the method in destroying foes, for thou shouldst proceed by the principle-of selection. Bear thou thy foe upon thy shoulders till the time cometh when thou canst throw him down, breaking him into pieces like an earthen pot thrown with violence upon a stony surface. The foe must never be let off even though he addresseth thee most piteously. No pity shouldst thou shew him but slay him at once. By the arts of conciliation or
53
