Arthashastra

Progress:42.6%

महा भोगम् अनित्यम् उपकार भयाद् अपक्रामति, उपकृत्य वा प्रत्यादातुम् ईहते ॥

inasmuch as a temporary friend of large prospects is likely to withdraw his friendship on account of material loss in the shape of help given, or is likely to expect similar kind of help in return.

english translation

mahA bhogam anityam upakAra bhayAd apakrAmati, upakRtya vA pratyAdAtum Ihate ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

नित्यम् अल्प भोगं सातत्याद् अल्पम् उपकुर्वन् महता कालेन महद् उपकरोति ॥

but a long-standing friend of limited prospects can, in virtue of his long-standing nature, render immense service in the long run.

english translation

nityam alpa bhogaM sAtatyAd alpam upakurvan mahatA kAlena mahad upakaroti ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

गुरु समुत्थं महन् मित्रं लघु समुत्थम् अल्पं वा इति "गुरु समुत्थं महन् मित्रं प्रताप करं भवति, यदा च उत्तिष्ठते तदा कार्यं साधयति" इत्य् आचार्याः ॥

Which is better, a big friend, difficult to be roused, or a small friend, easy to be roused? My teacher says that a big friend, though difficult to be roused, is of imposing nature, and when he rises up, he can accomplish the work undertaken.

english translation

guru samutthaM mahan mitraM laghu samuttham alpaM vA iti "guru samutthaM mahan mitraM pratApa karaM bhavati, yadA ca uttiSThate tadA kAryaM sAdhayati" ity AcAryAH ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

न इति कौटिल्यः ॥

Not so, says Kautilya.

english translation

लघु समुत्थम् अल्पं श्रेयः ॥

a small friend easy to be roused is better.

english translation

laghu samuttham alpaM zreyaH ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript