The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c15.s3.17

c15.s3.17

The only limit that the *Manu Samhitâ* knows is the absolute limit furnished by the sound economic doctrine, “as far as the market will bear.” It lays down the golden rule of realizing the maximum possible without inflicting the least annoyance. For the state that shears the sheep to the skin really kills the goose that lays the egg. In Manu’s language, “excessive imposts” would lead but to the “destruction of one’s own roots.”⁶ We are told indeed that the levy is be *alpâlpa*, i. e. in small quantities. But the camouflage of these alleged negligible doses can not impose on anybody, for the theorist takes care to point out that the people are to be sucked dry in the manner in which “leeches, calves and bees” help themselves upon their food.⁷ The process of steady and patient although slow and imperceptible drain is thus suggested. Statesmen are in short to be guided by the principle analgous to the one well known in the investors’ world, viz. that of “small rates” but “quick returns.”