Kautilya's Arthashastra 7.15.3

7.15.3

viśiṣṭabalābhāve samabalais tulyabalasaṃghair vā balavataḥ sambhūya tiṣṭhed yān na mantraprabhāvaśaktibhyām atisaṃdadhyāt //

In the absence of a superior king, he should combine with a number of his equals who are equal in power to his enemy and whom his enemy's power of purse, army, and intrigue cannot reach. Of kings who are equally possessed of the power of purse, army, and intrigue, difference should be sought in their capacity for making vast preparations.