Hitopadesha 2.45.p1

2.45.p1

karaṭako brūte-āvāṃ tāvad apradhānau | tadāpy āvayoḥ kim anayā vicāraṇayā |

'Well, well!' said Karataka; 'the books are nothing to us, who are not councillors.'

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?