The Stratagems of Wise Men

The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy.  It was written in Sanskrit, and is thought to be the culmination of the wisdom of several authors.  The author is traditionally credited to be Kautilya.  Kautilya is thought to be Chanakya, the teacher and guardian of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, and the true strategic genius behind the establishment of the Maurya Empire.

Kautilya said, “The arrow shot by the archer may or may not kill a single person.  But stratagems devised by wise men can kill even babes in the womb.”

There is no substitute to long-term strategy to address issues before they become problems.  That is what to “kill even babes in the womb” means.  A potential adversary must be neutralised early, a potential problem must be nipped in the bud.  We play chess in the real world, and that means subtly moving pieces in places.  When this is done successfully, no one, least of all the potential problem, is aware that the issue has been addressed.