Kautilya's Arthashastra 11.1.3

11.1.3

tān anuguṇān bhuñjīta sāmadānābhyām, viguṇān bhedadaṇḍābhyām //

THE acquisition of the help of corporations is better than the acquisition of an army, a friend, or profits. By means of conciliation and gifts, the conqueror should secure and enjoy the services of such corporations as are invincible to the enemy and are favourably disposed towards himself. But those who are opposed to him, he should put down by sowing the seeds of dissension among them and by secretly punishing them.