Arthashastra
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वश्यम् अनित्यं श्रेयः ॥
a temporary friend of submissive nature is better.
english translation
vazyam anityaM zreyaH ॥
hk transliteration by Sanscriptयावद् उपकरोति तावन् मित्रं भवति, उपकार लक्षणं मित्रम् इति ॥
for such a friend will be a true friend so long as he is helpful; for the real characteristic of friendship lies in giving help.
english translation
yAvad upakaroti tAvan mitraM bhavati, upakAra lakSaNaM mitram iti ॥
hk transliteration by Sanscriptवश्ययोर् अपि महा भोगम् अनित्यम् अल्प भोगं वा नित्यम् इति ॥ महा भोगम् अनित्यं श्रेयः, महा भोगम् अनित्यम् अल्प कालेन महद् उपकुर्वन् महान्ति व्यय स्थानानि प्रतिकरोति" इत्य् आचार्याः ॥
Which is the better of two submissive friends: a temporary friend of large prospects, or a longstanding friend of limited prospects? My teacher says that a temporary friend of large prospects is better inasmuch as such a friend can, in virtue of his large prospects, render immense service in a very short time, and can stand undertakings of large outlay.
english translation
vazyayor api mahA bhogam anityam alpa bhogaM vA nityam iti ॥ mahA bhogam anityaM zreyaH, mahA bhogam anityam alpa kAlena mahad upakurvan mahAnti vyaya sthAnAni pratikaroti" ity AcAryAH ॥
hk transliteration by Sanscriptन इति कौटिल्यः ॥
Not so, says Kautilya.
english translation
na iti kauTilyaH ॥
hk transliteration by Sanscriptनित्यम् अल्प भोगं श्रेयः ॥
a long-standing friend of limited prospects is better.
english translation
nityam alpa bhogaM zreyaH ॥
hk transliteration by Sanscript