THE KURAL
676. Determine first the exertion necessary, the obstacles in the way, and the expected profit, and then undertake thy enterprise.
677. The way to succeed in any undertaking is to learn the secret thereof from the man who is an expert in it.
678. Men decoy one elephant by means of another : even so make one enterprise the means of achieving a second.
679. Placate enemies even more swiftly than thou rewardest friends.
680. The weak should not care to live in the midst of constant alarms: when an opportunity offereth itself they should submit to an alliance with the strong.
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