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Arthashastra

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यस्या हि भूमेर् बहु दुर्गाश् चोर गणैर् म्लेच्छ अटवीभिर् वा नित्य अविरहिताः प्रत्यन्ताः सा नित्य अमित्रा, विपर्यये त्व् अनित्य अमित्रा ॥

That land, on the border of which there are a number of forts giving shelter to bands of thieves, Mlechchhas, and wild tribes is a land with a constant enemy; and that which is of reverse character is one with a temporary enemy.

english translation

अल्पा प्रत्यासन्ना महती व्यवहिता वा भूमिर् इति अल्पा प्रत्यासन्ना श्रेयसी ॥

Which is better, a small piece of land, not far, or an extensive piece of land, very far? A small piece of land, not far, is better.

english translation

सुखा हि प्राप्तुं पालयितुम् अभिसारयितुं च भवति ॥

inasmuch as it can be easily acquired, protected, and defended.

english translation

विपरीता व्यवहिता ॥

whereas the other is of a reverse nature.

english translation

व्यवहितयोर् अपि दण्ड धारणा आत्म धारणा वा भूमिर् इति आत्म धारणा श्रेयसी ॥

Of the above two kinds of land, which is better, that which can be maintained by itself, or that which requires external armed force to maintain?

english translation