Kautilya's Arthashastra 6.2.36

6.2.36

tasmāt śaktiṃ siddhiṃ ca ghaṭetātmany āveśayitum, sādhāraṇo vā dravyaprakṛtiṣv ānantaryeṇa śaucavaśena vā //

The possession of power and happiness in a greater degree makes a king superior to another; in a less degree, inferior; and in an equal degree, equal. Hence a king shall always endeavor to augment his own power and elevate his happiness.

A king who is equal to his enemy in the matter of his sovereign elements shall, in virtue of his own righteous conduct or with the help of those who are hostile or conspiring against his enemy, endeavor to throw his enemy’s power into the shade; or if he thinks:--