Matsya Purana 220.23

220.23

na bhāvyaṃ dāruṇenāpi tīkṣṇādudvijate janaḥ.
kāle bhṛduryo bhavati kāle bhavati dāruṇaḥ .. 220.23 ..

(1) King, (2) ministers, (3) country and subjects, (4) fort, (5) penal laws, (6) treasure, and (7) friends are the seven component parts of an Empire—19 in his people A king who is both mild and strong according to circumstances is prosperous in this life as well as in the next one! A sovereign should never joke with his retainers.—20-24