Arthashastra
पूर्वां पूर्वां विजानीयाल् लघ्वीम् आपदम् आपदाम् । उत्थितां बलवद्भ्यो वा गुर्वीं लघ्वीं विपर्यये ॥
One must consider that of these four kinds of danger, that which is mentioned first is less grave than the one subsequently mentioned, whether or not it is caused by powerful persons; otherwise (i.e., when the danger is caused by insignificant persons), simple means may be used to get rid of it.
english translation
pUrvAM pUrvAM vijAnIyAl laghvIm Apadam ApadAm । utthitAM balavadbhyo vA gurvIM laghvIM viparyaye ॥
hk transliteration by Sanscript