The ARTHASHASTRA

by Chanakya

‘Wealth will slip away from that childish man who constantly consults the stars. The only guiding star of wealth is itself; what can the stars of the sky do?’ {9.4.26}

A weak but noble king and a strong but low-born one: The teachers say that the people prefer a strong king, though low-born, [precisely] because he is strong. Though nobly-born, the people can be induced to follow a weak king only with difficulty. Kautilya disagrees. People will naturally obey a high-born king though he is weak, because a man of nobility has a natural capacity to rule. Furthermore, people frustrate the intrigues of the low-born, however strong he may be, because, as the saying goes: ‘When there is love, one sees all the virtues in the beloved.’ {8.2.21-24}

He shall maintain, at state expense, children, the old, the destitute, those suffering from adversity, childless women and the children of destitute women. The village elders shall act as trustees of temple property and the inheritance of minors (till they come of age).