Kautilya

Machiavelli

(p 145): “A rajarishi [a king, wise like a sage] is one who: has self-control, having conquered the [inimical temptations] of the senses, cultivates the intellect by association with elders, is ever active in promoting the security and welfare of the people, endears himself to his people by enriching them and doing good to them and avoids daydreaming, capriciousness, falsehood and extravagance (1.7).”

(p 169): “Unless there are dangers in it, succession of the eldest son is praiseworthy. An only son, if he is wicked, shall not [under any circumstances] be installed on the throne. A king with many sons acts in the best interests [of the kingdom] only if he removes a wicked one from succession (1.17).”

He (p 144) stated, “The sole aim of all branches of knowledge is to inculcate restraint over the senses (1.6.3). Self-control, which is the basis of knowledge and discipline, is acquired by giving up lust, anger, greed, conceit, arrogance and foolhardiness. Living in accordance with the shastras means avoiding over-indulgence in all pleasures of [the senses, i.e.,] hearing, touch, sight, taste and smell (1.6.1, 2).”

He (p 144) wrote, “A king who has no self-control and gives himself to excessive indulgence in pleasures will soon perish, even if he is the ruler of all four corners of the earth (1.6.4).

(Chap. 18, p 54): “So you see a wise ruler cannot, and should not, keep his word when doing so is to his disadvantage, and when the reasons that lead him to promise to do so no longer apply. Of course, if all men were good, this advice would be bad; but since men are wicked and will not keep faith with you, you need not keep faith with them.”

Page 55: “So you should seem to be compassionate, trustworthy, sympathetic, honest, religious, and indeed, be all these things; but at the same time you should be constantly prepared, so that, if these become liabilities, you are trained and ready to become their opposites.”

Page 56: “You become hateful, above all, as I said, if you prey on the possessions and the women of your subjects.”

Why a King should be Ethical: (p 121): “A king endowed with the ideal personal qualities enriches the other elements when they are less than perfect (6.1).”

(p 123): “Whatever character the king has, the other elements also come to have the same (8.1).”

Why a King should be Ethical: P (Discourse, 204): “Princes should not complain of any failings to be found in the people over whom they rule. For such failings are likely to be caused either by their own negligence or they themselves have the same faults

(Discourse, P 205): “And Lorenzo de’ Medici made the same point, remarking: “What the ruler does one day, many others do the next, for they all have their eyes on him.”.”