Arthashastra
मित्र अभावे प्रकृतीनां लघीयस्य एकतो अनर्थां साधयेत्, उभयतो अनर्थां ज्यायस्या, समन्ततो अनर्थां मूलेन प्रतिकुर्यात् ॥
In the absence of friends, he should attempt to ward off harm from one side with the help of an ally who can be easily won over.
english translation
mitra abhAve prakRtInAM laghIyasya ekato anarthAM sAdhayet, ubhayato anarthAM jyAyasyA, samantato anarthAM mUlena pratikuryAt ॥
hk transliteration by Sanscript