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Arthashastra

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siva.sh/arthashastra/sadgunya/10/11

विपरीता बलवत् सामन्ता कोश दण्ड अवच्छेदनी च भूमिर् भवति ॥

Which is better, the acquisition of a rich land close to a constant enemy, or that of sterile land near to a temporary enemy?

english translation

siva.sh/arthashastra/sadgunya/10/12

सम्पन्ना नित्य अमित्रा मन्द गुणा वा भूमिर् अनित्य अमित्रा इति "सम्पन्ना नित्य अमित्रा श्रेयसी भूमिः सम्पन्ना हि कोश दण्डौ सम्पादयति, तौ च अमित्र प्रतिघातकौ इत्य् आचार्याः ॥

My teacher say that a rich land with a constant enemy is better, inasmuch as it yields much wealth to maintain a strong army, by which the enemy can be put down.

english translation

siva.sh/arthashastra/sadgunya/10/13

न इति कौटिल्यः ॥

Not so, says Kautilya.

english translation

siva.sh/arthashastra/sadgunya/10/14

नित्य अमित्र अलाभे भूयान् शत्रु लाभो भवति ॥

for a rich land creates many enemies, and the constant enemy will ever be an enemy.

english translation

siva.sh/arthashastra/sadgunya/10/15

नित्यश् च शत्रुर् उपकृते च अपकृते च शत्रुर् एव भवति, अनित्यस् तु शत्रुर् उपकाराद् अनपकाराद् वा शाम्यति ॥

whether or not he is helped (with men and money to conciliate him); but a temporary enemy will be quiet either from fear or favour.

english translation

Chapter 10

Verses 16-20