Chapter 14 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 14

Valmiki Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda

Verse 14.20

परस्य वीर्य स्वबलं च बुद्ध्वा स्थानं क्षयं चैव तथैव वृद्धिम्। तथा स्वपक्षेऽप्यनुमृश्य बुद्ध्या वदेत्क्षम स्वामिहितं स मन्त्री॥

parasya vīrya svabalaṃ ca buddhvā sthānaṃ kṣayaṃ caiva tathaiva vṛddhim| tathā svapakṣe'pyanumṛśya buddhyā vadetkṣama svāmihitaṃ sa mantrī||

English Meaning

He is a true counsellor who advises his master, after duly ascertaining the strength, position, increase or destruction of the enemies as well as of their own party.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)