16 not worth considering.” Huanchu said, “Those who make a show of morality arc inevitably slandezed on moral grounds; those who make a show of learning are always blamed on account of learning.” Lao-tau said, “To know unconsciously is best; to presume to know whac you don't is sick. Only by recognizing the sickness of sickness is it possible ‘not to be sick.” The Taoist Master of the Hidden Storehouse said, “Those who are worthy of the name ‘wise’ do not call themselves wise.” All undertakings hegin with counsel. "The master strategist Sun Tzu wrote, “Assess the advantages in take ing advice, then streccure your forces accordingly.” A. Chan proverb says, “Strategy at headquarters detecmines success abroad.” Expending energy without direction drains people and renders them ineffective in the long ran, ‘The Taoist sage Lao-tzu said, “The journey of ten thousand miles begins with the first step.” Without prudent planning, which includes seeking and taking advice from reliable and worthy sources, chere is little chance of taking the first step in the right direction. As anocher Chan proverb says, “The crooked does not hide the straight.” According to natural law, the result of an activity must be in conformity with the cause and conditions of its pursuit. Misguided effort takes us furcher afield the harder we try. Diligence cannoc compensete for misdirection. This is why counsel or guidance nacurally includes 2 realistic assessment of one's situation and ‘The Master of the Hidden Storehouse said, “The effectiveness of a mir ror in showing a Jeader what he Looks like is small compared to che effec tiveness of-educared people in showing a leader what he is like.” The “Master of Demon Valley said, “There is nothing to do but value wisdom, ‘Wisdom employs whac is unknown co most people, and can use what is, invisible to most people. Once wisdom is in use, one acts on one’s own by seeing what can be chosen and working on it; one acts for others by seeing what is unavoidable and working on chat.” ee Fulfillment of what is to be done lies in keeping security of counsel; one who divulges advice ruins the task. Keeping secatiey of counsel protects plans ftom the interference of the interloper who aims co take advantage of others, from the attack of the spoiler who seeks the downfall of the able, from the impatience of the overeager one who seeks co profit right away and from che confusion of the controversialise who wants to argue and get his way. “There is, furthermore, also the logic of silence as space in which to act or maneuver, A master plan spoken too soon might become excessively rigidified in the minds of heacess, to the point where necessary flexibility could be lost. Serategic thinker Mei Yaochen wrote, “Insofar as you adapt and adjuse accordingly in the face of opposition, how could you say you are going to do beforehand?”Through carelessness one will come under the control of enemies: counsel is to he kept guarded from all doors. Tascrutabitity and impassivity, often thoughe to be character crits of certain peoples, are ordinaily results of training in the practice of reserve. Reserve, or discretion, is deliberately cultivated! for the simple reason, articulated so concisely here by our pundit, thar carelessness causes vul- nerabilicy. Those who misunderstand the nacre of che seacegy and cake the products and effects of chis training coo personally inevitably lose out in both affective and competitive interaction When their brains can be revealed, or their emotions easily triggered and theie private sensitivities exposed, people can be readily manipulated by those who seek to euzn the frailties of the human condition co their own personal advantage. ‘The Taoist Husinan Masters sai ke and dislike began to heve their says, order and chaos went their ways.” thers, ly picked and their inner thoughts ‘This principle is, quite naturally, emphasized very strongly in strate- gic literature. The Master of Demon Valley seid, “In the use of tactical strategies, it is becter to be private than public; and alliance is even bet~ ter chan mere privacy, alliance meaning a parenership that has no gaps.” the stare of “having no gaps” chat the integrity of an indi- relationship or a group is maintained. I is in this sense, more than in the sense of sinister secrecy, that the Master of Demon Valley said, “The Way of mastery is in concealment and covertness.” Lao-tz explains, “Is it empty talk, the old saying that tact keeps you whole? ‘When cruthfulness is complete, it still resorts to this.” By fulfillment of counsel, dominion grows; they say keeping counsel seoret is of utmost importance. Masccry devélops through putting good advice into practice. tment of counsel demands first of all that one recognize what good advice is, how feasible it is, how valuable it is and what is necessary to its exccution. ‘These preliminary disceraments may be elementary, but they are not easy. Not only must ane develop one's own perceptions, one ate the right company. must also © According to a Chinese Buddhist master of the Sung dynesty, writing ata time when seligion and culeure seemed to be flourishing, “It is herd to find anyone who will say chat what is right is right and what is wrong ight, free from hypocrisy.” is wrong, who is balanced, crue and uy Keeping counsel secret, ot confidential, is not only important as a normal security measure; ic is also imporcant at an even earlier stage of planning, the stage of assessment of advice. Silently keeping one’s peace in che process of hearing counsel and evaluating it reduces random whi interference and fosters cool consideration. ‘The dual function of secrecy, for security and for privacy, is cap- tured perfectly by the Taoist Master of Demon Valley, who explains that internal secrecy maincains che external secrecy maincains.the inte; are themselves on the inside but speak to outsiders are ostracized; those who are themselves outsiders but whose talk goes too deep are in danger.”Pursuing this line of thought, ic can be seen how tactful reserve can enable one to avoid frustration by hostility and concesition, The Master of Demon Valley said, “What people do not like should noc be forced on them; what does not concern people should not be taught to them.” ‘Thus eventual success may be furthered by keeping things confidential until the one who is ultimately responsible has determined the needs and capacities, the mentalities and concerns, of those likely to be affected by a course of action. Counsel is a lamp to one in the dark about what is to be done. Te is better to do nothing than to act at random and do something swrong. The advantage of gaining other perspectives mey be there, but the face remains ¢ does not know what to do oneself, one imply by ics presence. ot enough just to follow direction; in order to cher it is worth following, eed f , one needs some sense of where this direction is to lead. Following advice blindly when in the dark is to go from darkness to darkness. Authentic counsel, therefore, includes within it means of test- igence and knowledge on son, perceptible logic, reason, and contextu ing its probity. Proven character, of the darkness” because it does not simply beckon enthusiasm or trust; it removes the darkness itself. a ‘The faults of others are seen through the eyes of advisers; when advice is given, let there be no hostility. Personal feelings or privace debes of some kind may blind one to the Ta such cases, che obser- shortcomings of associates in professional life. ng the vations of objective advisers are of inestimable value, con Joss and injury that can sesulc from keeping the wrong company. 'As Jong es emotional or other biases have indeed compromised one’s ability co see people as they really are, one is not likely to be receptive to other points of view. According to a story in 2 Buddhist scriprure, when a king once consulted a sage about which of his sons to designate ‘as heir to the throne, che sage replied wich withering criticisms of each and every one of the princes. This so enraged the king that he wanced t0 have the sage put to death. Now the sage laughingly bede the king co spate his life, for by such candor with « king had he not proven himself 2 fool, no sage at all, unworthy of a hearing? ‘While tact is surely needed in advisers, there is @ limit co whi can be covered without compromise. Whac is also needed is eeceprivity in those who seek counsel on account of the responsibilities of cheir post- tions. One who is impacient wich anything but his own opinions has ¢ hhard time learning, even from experience. People in positions of power have a correspondingly powerful need for the clatity to see beyond private feelings and evaluate others objectively. Yagyu Munenori, ator to 3 shogun of seventeepch-century Japan, makes this poine wich great urgency in the concext of political organizacion: five or ten. The “There are only a few people close to a ruler, perhaps fi 1m rulers. When many people sesent ich eruth majority of people are remote froSee heir ruler, they will express eheir feelings. When chose who are close 10 the ruler have been after their own private interests all slong, not acting in consideration of the leadership, they serve in such a way that the populace resents the ruler. Then when a crisis occurs, these very ones who are close to the ruler will be the first co set upon him!” If one is not receptive to information ot advice thar would make it possible co sce hidden treachery before it surfac pitfalls chat remain imperceptible. Yagyu wrote, “If you do not see che ‘dynamic of @ situation, you may remain too long in company where you should not be, and get into rouble for no reason.” In Forest of Wisdom, 2 Chinese collection of Sung dynasty Chan extracts, it is explained chat che best way to learn to cake good advice is +o learn how to recognize sincere advisers, As one thinker seys, “Retain those who are more mature, and keep away opportunistic flatterers. The value in chis is that there will be no slander of corruption, and no fac- tionalise disruption.” bere will always be ‘Opportunistic flatterers may be the very ones to strangle off avenues of sincere advice, and their interference may in fact be perversely wel- comed by those who secretly wish to be relieved of responsibility for hard choices and difficult decisions. In any case, however, those who get the repatetion of listening to opportunistic flatterers will be abandoned by the seeking “courtiers” vying for attention and influence. rent, and mired in the disputes and machinations of self- se Assent is when there is unanimity of three. "Trio people may fool or flaxter cach other into believing themselves to be correct and then enjoy che illusion too much ro pay any attention ¢o another opinion. It is harder for a group of thee (or more) co reach any sort of facile, uncritical unanimity, s as a result more questioning, thought and reflection go on before a decision or a determination is reached, Thus the process of advice and consent has a reduced margin of error. “This phenomenon is reflected in a popular Japanese proverb thar says, “three people together have che wisdom of a sage.” The nature of every~ day realy, moreover, is that of agreement, or convention, as illustrated by the Chinese proverb chat says, “If chree people call ic euctle, then it's a turtle.” When there is “unanimity of three,” this means that chere is a practical agreement, a working convention, which can be used asa basis of coordinated undertakings and cooperative endeavors. ad ‘Advisers are those who see the true zeason for what is to be done and what is not to be done. ‘Arn aim may be deemed desirable, and a plan conceived for its acainmene, yet che enthusiasm and endeavor may turn out ¢o be facile if the aim is unrealistic, the plan is unfeasible or perception of relevant conditions is uncleas. The fact remains, however, that when desire pro ies may ‘uces enthusiasm and enthusiasm spawns effort, cold practi be overlooked in the heat of the moment of inspiration. ‘Therefore consideration of reason and means is as imporrant as geners- tion of ideas and aspirations. When we truly understand why we afe doing one thing or avoiding another, then we can reach the peak ofeffec- tiveness. If we only know. where we want to go but nor how do get there, agitation to get going may delude us into thinking we will find our way as we go along.24 Authentic advice, then, does not simply say what to do and what not to do, but makes this clear in the process of explaining why and why not. ‘When causes and effects are understood, advice can be recognized with- ‘out doubr and applied without distortion. ‘The Master of Demon Valley said, “Strategic planning is che pivot of survival and destruction. If thinking is not firting, then heating is unclear and timing is inaccurate, resulting in mistakes in planning. Then intention is unteliable, vacuous and insubstantial.” Advice is betrayed by six ears. Six ears means chree people. There is an ancient Chinese saying chac “Six ears do not have the same plans,” meaning that ic is difficult to maintain security when sectets are shared. The image is made more graphic by the use of the expression “six ears” instead of “chree people” insofar as it alludes to “two ears" per person, suggesting thac the mind of an individual may also be divided within itself. One ear may be heas- 1g, as it were, while the other ear hears another; one ear may be tuned to a private conference while the other ear may be receiving outside signals. The resulting complexity of differences in views, sources, ing one « and interpretations then complicates the problem of security. a One whose affection remains sure in adversities isa friend. Te may go without saying that # “fair-weather friend,” one who dis- appears in hard times, isin reality no friend ar all, bu eheze is nether ‘Gisdom nor consolation in realizing she eruth after the fact. The Sufi sage Hadrat Ali counseled his on, “Do not beftiend a stingy man, for he will distance himself from you when he is most needed; and do not beftieac « profligate, as he will ell you fora trifle.” “Alehough it i eherefore desitable to recognize reality and falsehood in people before having anything to do with chem, sil one can hardly be romfortable in society if one is habiewaly suspicious and distrosting. ‘The appropriate balance is aot necessarily easy co acain, particulazly in ‘highly comperitive society. Confucius sid, “They are wise who do nor and do not consider dishonesty, yet are aware of cher lifetime of cultivation. anticipace dec from the starc." This degree of serene clarity takes ‘When there is more than individual. responsi involved in per- sonal associations, when the total complex of officiel, professional, and social rights and duties is influenced by the company one keeps, after- the-fact recogaition of fair-weather friends may be disastrous. For this reason, ways of testing people have been developed over the ages by prac tical chinkers in political, military, religious and professional fields. Questionnaires and wsicten tests do not necessarily do che job quite thoroughly enough. “The difficulty of knowing people troubles ever sages,” said a famous Chan Buddhist teacher of Sung dynasty China, explaining chat "You cannot know their behavior for sure just from one answer of one question. Indeed, clever talkers Cannoc always be crusted in fact, while clumsy talkers may have irrefucable reason.”Scrategists weiting for political and milieary leaders have considered this issue one of crucial importance, ‘The great Chinese leader K’ung Ming, whose exploits are immortalized in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, wrote in bis manual The Way of the General: “Hard though it be to know people, chere are ways. First is to question them concerning, tight and wrong, to observe their ideas. Second is to exhaust all cheir arguments, ¢o sce how they change. Third is to consult with them about strategy, to see how perceptive they are, Fourth is to announce that there is trouble, to see how brave they are. Fifth is to get them intoxicated, to observe their inner nature. Sixth is to present them with the prospect of gain, to see how modest they are. Seventh is to give them a task to do within a specific time, to see how trustworthy they arc.” ‘The severity of the methods employed naturally depends on the nature of che situation, especially on the margin for error. The Greek philosopher Plato believed that the essence of whatever method used co evaluate people was to see whether they had greater taste for cruch than for material comfort; he said, “You should cest someone who resorts to you by deprivation and unjust treatment. If one patiently endures the deprivation but complains about the unjust creatment, you may attach him to yourself and treat him well. If one patiently endures unjust ereat- ment and complains about deprivation, however, you may leave him and avoid him.” Power is attained by winning friends. The powerful one strives to gain what is lacking. Gaining what is lacking is not for the lazy. The lazy one, moreover, cannot keep even what he has gotten. What is in the keeping of the lazy one, furthermore, does not grow; he does not direct employees. Gaining what has not been gained, maintaining it, developing it and employing it: these four are the essentials of sovereignty. Cooperation, focus, determination and effore are all elements of atraining success. Atcentiveness and fostering growth, employing che fruits of success effectively, are all ele- ‘ments of maintaining success. ‘The Master of Demon Valley sa mulation of mental energy into thought, The mind should be calm and ‘quiet, thoughe should be deep and far-reaching. When the mind is calm and quiet, then brilliant measures are conceived; when thought is deep and far-reaching, then strategic plans are perfected, When brilliant mea~ sures are conceived, then the will cannot be disturbed. When strategic pplins are perfected, then achievements cannot be blocked." “Solidifying intent refers to for- ae The course of practical philosophy depends on the essentials of sovereignty; system and arrangement are based on the essentials of sovereignty. "The Master of Demon Valley said, “Human leaders have a natural pivot, producing, growing, harvesting and stéring, which is nor to be314.9) KAUIMIYA ARMEAsismRA a6 9 ‘Just as the cow of the hunters is milked for hounds, not for Brahmins, so this king is milked for those devoid of spirit, intelligence ‘and eloquence, not for those endowed with qualities of the self; that (other) king knows (bow to appreciate) persons of distinction ; go to him;? — in this way he should eause the group of the greedy to be instigated. 30.‘ Just as the well of the Candilas is of use only to the Candalas, not to others, so this king, being low, is of benefit only to Jom persons, not to Azyas such as you ; that (other) king knows (how to appreciate) pessons of distinction ; go to him’ — in this way he should cause ‘the group of the proud to be instigated. 11 Whea they have agreed with the words ‘So (we shall do) * and have become allied (to him) by the making of terms, he should employ them according to their capacity in his own works, with spies (to watoh over them). 12 And he should win over the seducible in the enemy's territories by means of conciliation and gifts and those not seducible ‘by means of dissension and force, pointing out (to them) the defects of the enemy, CHAPTER FIFTEEN SECTION 11 THK TOPIC OF COUNSEL 1 When he has secured the allegiance of his owa party and the party of the enemy, he should think of the undertaking of works, 2 All undertakings should be preceded by consultation. 8 The place for that should be secluded, not allowing talks to be heard outside, ineapable of being peeped in’ even by birds. 4 ~ Fox, itis known that Geliberations axe divulged by parrots and starlings, even by dogs snd other animals, 5 Therefore, an unauthorised person must not © duigate iv as in D Cj. dugae 1 equally good. — ‘-ndhyaialti= ef. 1.1139 above. 14 asan rajdiethe king on whose behalf the secret agent is working. — In te reading seoyatam of G, M (for atra gomyatim),« sa would appear to benecessary ‘before fj seams to have read it. 20 ‘his clearly implies the exiztenos of seperate arrangements for water for the wntouchables. 21 ett payakarmand: treaty (sshd) with terms (pona) laid down is, meant. as ‘3 hathdndm onifsot ie froma D, slo implied in Cb. Thats better than anterant (onijenict necessary ns in Cs) * not. slowing (talk) to Dow out.’ Cj, with avisrdot, Ines ‘fee from echoes.’ 4 éukasésdhabrir: Joll-Sehunidt refer to the Harjecarite 1p. 208 (HSS edition) for fiusteations, 5 C) reads-ayubo for andy. setts reine ote \. I ) | 2 8T approsch the place should be extirpated. 7 Secret coun: expressions. of the «3 is behaviour other # (on the face) is exp over officers appoint pletion of) the under ‘or in intoxication or ness and the like, ¢ counsel.’ 12 ‘There “% 1B ‘The divul swell-being of the Isn he should deliberate 15 ‘Fos, even cou others still, 16 TI of secret counsel aT ‘There sought to be d know (about i completed.’ 18 ‘There is person,” says Vial fold,) directly perc know what is not Anown, removal of¢ finding out the rest 8 itgita derived tro ‘the thoughts of a pers natural, such as palen after -rakganam. — have been better. 11 shown by 0.7. and p necessary. ‘Perhaps pr be better, in View of 2 ‘than * haughtiness*(C 18 D's Ayoyoge- i the sliustyation of Re Ramaguptasartzasya). foundins.60. — A ‘of the quotation from ‘doubted, 10 Ct. 1.9.4 above kga’s work, 20-148 6, not for stelligence self; that on; go to greedy to Cangales, w persons, ppreciate) ould cause shall do) * jhe should otk, with e enemy's seduotble the defects ‘ty and the rs, 8 The nd outside, own thet y dogs and must not ar ‘THE TOFIC OF TRAINING [1.15.20 approach the place of counsel. 6. One who divulges secret counsel should be extirpated. 7 Seoret counsel is indeed betrayed by the gestures and the expressions of the envoy, the minister and the monarch. 8 Gesture is behaviour other than normal. 9 ‘The putting on of an expression {oni the face) is expression, 10 Concealment of that (and) vigilance ‘over officers appointed (should be maintained) till the time of (com- pletion of) the undertaking. 11 For, their prattle through negligence or in intoxication or during sleep, thetr immoderation such as amorous- ness and the like, or, a person concealed or despised, betrays secret counsel." 12 Therefore, he should guard counsel. 18 ‘The divulgence of secret counsel is fatal to the security and ‘well-being of the king and the officers appointedby him. 14 ‘Therefore, he should deliberate slone over a confidential matter,’ seys Bhiradva ja, 15 ‘For, even councillors have (other) councillors, and these have others stil. 16 ‘Thus this series of eouneiIlors leads to the divulgence ‘of seeret: counsel. 1 ‘Therefore, others should not know about any work sought fo be done by him. Only those who undertake it should Know (shout it) when it is begun or even when it is actually ‘completed.’ 18 ‘There is no attainment of deliberation by a single person,’ says Vidslakga, 19 ‘Kor, the affairs of @ king are (tliren fold,) diteetly perocived, timperceived and inferred. 20 Coming to know what is not known, definite strengthening of what has become known, removal of doubt in ease of two possible alternatives in a matter, finding out the rest in a matter that is partly known, — this can he 8. thaite derived from tg to moves refers to movements or gests indicative of ‘the thoughts of a person. "—_ dirtigrahanam ‘ putting on an expression other than Datura, euch es palenes of the face, ete (Cb). 10 A en wonld eer neceeary after -rakgomam. — i has no igaiicance & verb like hurd o kivayet would have been better. 11 -pralgpah is from D. Since kama cte. constitutes utseen as shown by 8.71 and promada eve. are unconnected with i, tile reading Ye clear'y necessary. Pesheps praldpaf inthe sing which seems to be the reading of C, would be better, In View ofthe werd bhinat.—~ssekab"immoderstion, excess rather ‘nan “Insugtiness (Ce) or *selé-fngetfuines” Meyer). i 18. D's hyayoga- is supported by Co. — ayogakyonakaro riiah: Cnn gives ‘he Mlastriien of Ramagupta betrayed by Dhravadevt (gatha Dirveaderya hrta Rémoguptasertcarya). 17D has a sightly ditrent form of the fist lin; which te found ins. 00. — An iat dhe end of the sianza would be hetter to mark the end ‘of the quotation ftom Ehéradvajo's work, ‘That his is a quotation can iardly be doubted. 10 CE 1.04 above. Tt ia ponsible that even there the sis dived from Visi- Wee's works 20 nigtahatadanan; Jolly-Sehmriat have adopted nideayo1:38.21] KAUpILIVA ARTMASASIRA 38 achieved (only) wit the help ofministes, 22 Therefore, Be should sit Ja counsel with those who are mature in intellect ap. ‘We should déspise none, (but) should Tisten to the opinich cf every one, A-wite mim should make use of the sensible ‘words of even a child.” ge This is ascertainment of counsel, not guarding of counsel, coy the followers of Pariéars, 24 ‘Bie “should ask the councillors sy ago matter exactly stflar to the undertaking he Sos in mind, Son os Tike this, cr, iit were to happen Uke this, how then Ghoula it be done?” 25 As they might advises should he do that {work), 36 Tn tis way is counsel ascertained ‘and searecy maintained. ‘at the same time” spr No? says Piguna. 28 ‘er, councillors, questions shout: sa necadeg atta whether ites tazen place or not give thely opm with $rftenence or alscloe it. 29 ‘That is @ defect. 6) Mherefore, he saga deliberate with those who axe approved for the particular under- savings. 83 Holding cowssel with these (only), be achieves success jn connaltation+es well as is secnecy’” an Noy says Kauiya. 89 or, this is « condition wittomt Fe Gre should hold consultations with thaee ox four covnelions. pay olding a consultation with one (only) he may not (be ableto) 2 ve decision in dificult, matter. 80 And © single councillor Waves ax he pleases without restraint. 67 Holding ‘consultstions aeaeero, he is coptrolig by the vo i united and ruined by ¢bers stat rar (with each ates), 88 With three or fous, thet ‘yecomes possible (only) with eifieulty. 99 However, if St doce ‘become possible, it etary vtaanan oma Somade's Naess, where te pases quoted. a After thie to, an ii seams necessary a irabaty, ace 18.1 above. U4. prasrapaam an act eOOnPAS 2 ermchium ‘ant? Ln not tht matier which te Ming bs So TO ‘at the oo UP Enreah "approve Le, considered by tie MOR oS Oo the So ty ratstin. of D jo etinelly Date: than -uaahin Paresre of upalabahn) or ardakin Cf.x. 18 above Se omusauhbewuae every te the Ing would be conaens MS ‘here would bs 30 Me ret le seding of Je found in Cj and suppor Py A of M5 the can of natin (after va) is ported bY sora x nw ie, whan hese are oo MSS fonkniny of mantantgsnigana and unheon ‘also which is there when arragam etc the Sden sees to bet if however, er yo cnr cc oe aie, Ht wou pl Stier, 1 Oo unbkely mA omy that bas got int the text. Cj seems to eDien fat this ure te ent ancvantnge (doa) of absence of west ET ‘ata is thos coanaacted (wpapanna. pattie)” Whew it ‘and with scien nities en Sat 30 involves gree with difficult 41° However = he should de to (their and 42 The and materia against faim ton in its fi 48. He he should as (Gor holding he should n¢ long time, » 0 ham. ara say the fell pati. 40 * ‘to capacity, ‘dition of 1 ‘or ncertaint eached, how sd explains! fesagraha_ te {ellos do agin) Yoo very doubt spabilty. ¢ fntellet and iratsoyd pr 4 at seading of Jo nd isn ao ccounillr to Shen thee be has come the next 5! sein pay payaso ‘onsuitation Gan gives € Pingeves. 4” Theo (of. 7.58) scart