Matsya Purana 220.35

220.35

mantracchalena bahavo vinaṣṭāḥ pṛthivīkṣitaḥ.
ākārairiṅgitairgatyā ceṣṭayā bhāṣitena ca .. 220.35 ..

A sovereign should solve his policy through wise and sound statesmen for there is always a risk of its leaking out when placed in unreliable hands The solution of a policy through desirable channels therefore is a source of incalculable benefit Many kings are ruined owing to bad advices from ministers—34

Many sovereigns have been ruined by the unsoundness of their policy Appearance, signs, hearing features speech, eyes and face indicate the inward feelings of a man A king sound in politics has all the world at his command A king should neither hold council with one man nor with too many He should not get into a boat without knowing its rower He should also deal with the robbers that accost him according to the rules of Sâma, etc He should by all means pursue the course that may not be against the wishes of his subjects and may not weaken them—35 39