[2442] "There are but two bases, dear father, on which everything is founded:
the gaining of what has not been gained, and the safeguarding of what has been gained.
Know your ministers, dear father — the wise, skilled in what is beneficial,
no dicers and cheats, dear father, no drunkards, no squanderers.
And he who would guard you, dear father, and whatever wealth may be yours,
as a charioteer keeps his chariot in hand — let him conduct your affairs.
With his household folk well cared for, he should himself look over his wealth;
he should not, trusting to others, lay up treasure or give out loans.
He should himself know income and expenditure, himself know what has been done and left undone;
he should restrain the one who deserves restraint and promote the one who deserves promotion.
Yourself instruct the country in its welfare, O lord of chariots;
let not unrighteous officials destroy your wealth and realm.
And do not perform tasks in haste, nor have them performed in haste;
for a deed done in haste the fool repents afterward.
Do not let loose upon those who offend against you a wrath too fiercely provoked;
for through anger many flourishing families have come to nothing.
Do not, dear father, thinking 'I am the lord,' lead [your people] on to harm;
let no harvest of suffering (dukkha) for women and men arise through you.
When a king is devoid of all dread and runs after sensual pleasures,
all his riches perish — that is called a king's woe.
Right there are the rules of conduct (vattapada) for you; just this is the instruction.
Be diligent now, a maker of merit (puñña), no drunkard, no squanderer;
be virtuous, great king — for the immoral man is bound for the lower world (vinipātika)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.