resources are exhausted, and always remember the duty of doing good to thy subjects.  That king who always does what is agreeable by virtue of his disposition achieves success in all his measures and is never shorn of prosperity.  The king should always, with heedfulness, cherish that devoted servant who abstains from doing what is injurious to his master and who always does what is for his good.  He should appoint in all great affairs persons that have subjugated their senses, that are devotedly loyal and of pure behaviour, and that are possessed of ability.  That person, who by the possession of such qualifications pleases the king and who is never heedless in taking care of the interests of his master should be appointed by the king in the affairs of his kingdom.  On the other hand, the king becomes divested of prosperity by appointing to important offices men that are fools and slaves of their senses, that are covetous and of disrespectable conduct, that are deceitful and hypocritical, that are malicious, wicked-souled, and ignorant, that are low-minded, and addicted to drink, gambling, women, and hunting.  That king, who, first protecting his own self, protects others that deserve protection, feels the satisfaction of finding his subjects growing in prosperity.  Such a king succeeds also in obtaining greatness.  A king should, by secret agents that are devoted to him, watch the conduct and acts of other kings.  By such means can he obtain superiority.  Having injured a powerful king, one should not comfort himself with the thought that he (the injurer) lives at a great distance from the injured.  Such a king when injured falls upon the injurer like the hawk swooping down upon its prey, in moments of heedlessness.  A king whose power has been consolidated and who is confident of his own strength, should assail a neighbour who is weaker than himself but never one that is stronger.  A king who is devoted to virtue, having acquired the sovereignty of the earth by prowess, should protect his subjects righteously and slaughter foes in battle.  Everything belonging to this world is destined to destruction.  Nothing here is durable.  For this reason, the king, adhering to righteousness, should protect his subjects righteously.  The defence of forts, battle, administration of justice, consultations on questions of policy, and keeping the subjects in happiness, these five acts contribute to enlarge the dominions of a king.  That king who takes proper care of these is regarded to be the best of kings.  By always attending to these, a king succeeds in protecting his kingdom.  It is impossible, however, for one man to supervise all these matters at all times.  Making over such supervision to his ministers, a King may govern the earth for ever.[277] The people make such a person their king who is liberal, who shares all objects of enjoyment with others, who is possessed of a mild disposition, who is of pure behaviour, and who will never abandon his subjects.  He is obeyed