Chapter 68 — Uttara Kanda, Sarga 68

Valmiki Ramayana — Uttara Kanda

Verse 68.17

स्वयमेवागतः शत्रुर्न मोक्तव्यः कृतात्मना। यो हि विक्लवया बुद्ध्या प्रसरं शत्रवे दिशेत्। स हतो मन्दबुद्धिः स्याद्यथा कापुरुषस्तथा॥

svayamevāgataḥ śatrurna moktavyaḥ kṛtātmanā| yo hi viklavayā buddhyā prasaraṃ śatrave diśet| sa hato mandabuddhiḥ syādyathā kāpuruṣastathā||

English Meaning

The practical men should never let off the enemies who come out of their own accord. He, who invite an enemy into battle under the influence of perverted understanding, is slain like a coward.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)