Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c13.s1.69

c13.s1.69

Espionage plays a notable part in the whole scheme of administration. Ordinarily, a king will not find out the whole truth about an affair. One-fourth of the truth is likely to be concealed from him and can be ascertained only through favourites and friends. "Do not spurn away an informer at the very outset, ponder over and over again about what he says. If what he reported proves to be false, then dispense with him, but see that he is in no way disgraced." Not only enemies but one's own ministers and partisans are to be shadowed by spies.¹