[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Epic, Poetry, Drama & Narrative](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit) › [Story collections and fables](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories) › [Hitopadesha](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.hitopadesa) › 2.41 # Hitopadesha 2.41 Hitopadeśa 2.41 - **Language:** Sanskrit ### [2.41](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.hitopadesa.2.41) tathā hi svalpam apy atiricyate- svalpa-snāyu-vasāvaśeṣa-malinaṃ nirmāṃsam apy asthikaṃ śvā labdhvā paritoṣam eti na bhavet tasya kṣudhaḥ śāntaye | siṃho jambukam aṅkam āgatam api tyaktvā nihanti dvipaṃ sarvaḥ kṛcchra-gato 'pi vāñchati janaḥ sattvānurūpaṃ phalam // > For indeed, even a tiny thing is surpassed: > 'A dog, having found a bone foul with a tiny remnant of sinew and fat and devoid of meat, > feels satisfaction, though it cannot serve to appease his hunger; > a lion, letting go of a jackal even when it has come into his grasp, slays an elephant: > every person, even when fallen into distress, desires a fruit worthy of his spirit.' > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) > For assisting friends, and defeating enemies also, the service of kings is desirable. To enter upon it for a mere living makes the thing low indeed. There must be dogs and elephants; but servants need not be like hungry curs, while their masters are noble. What say the books? > — Edwin Arnold 1861, The Book of Good Counsels ### [2.41.p1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.hitopadesa.2.41.p1) aparaṃ ca, sevya-sevakayor antaraṃ paśya- > And further, observe the difference between the master to be served and the servant: > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ## Translations (2) - [The Book of Good Counsels](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.hitopadesa~en-arnold.0.5.3.p11) — Edwin Arnold 1861, English - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.hitopadesa~en-mt.2.41) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [Anyoktimuktāvali](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.subhasita.gnomic.anyokti.anyoktimuktavali.200_412) — Haṃsavijayagaṇi 1654, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.hitopadesa.2.41](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.hitopadesa.2.41) · Pramāṇa