Kautilya's Arthashastra 5.4.2

5.4.2

yaṃ vā manyeta "yathāham āśrayepsur evam asau vinayepsur ābhigāmikaguṇayuktaḥ" iti, dravyaprakṛtihīnam apy enam āśrayeta, na tv evānātmasaṃpannam //

WHOEVER possesses enough experience of the world and its affairs may, through the influence of an interested friend, seek the favour of a king who is endowed with amiable qualities and is possessed of all the elements of sovereignty. He may court the favour of any king provided he thinks:--Just as I am in need of a patron, so is this king possessed of a taste for good advice and is of amiable character. He may even court the favour of such a king as is poor and destitute of the elements of sovereignty, but never, of such a one as is of a depraved character: whoever, as a king, is destitute of good temper and amiable character cannot, by reason of his habitual hatred of the science of polity and an inborn proclivity to evil ways, maintain his sovereignty, though he is possessed of immense sovereign power.