Chapter 17 — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 17

Valmiki Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda

Verse 17.24

नयश्च विनयश्चोभौ निग्रहानुग्रहावपि। राजवृत्तिरसंकीर्णा न नृपाः कामवृत्तयः॥

nayaśca vinayaścobhau nigrahānugrahāvapi| rājavṛttirasaṃkīrṇā na nṛpāḥ kāmavṛttayaḥ||

English Meaning

The royal virtue consists in humbly and freely administering discipline, favour and punishment. Kings by no means, should follow their whims.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)