A king should wait long and then kill his enemies. Indeed, he should wait, for the opportunity, so that he might attack his enemy at a time when the latter would not expect him in the least. A king should never kill a large number of the enemy's army, although he should certainly do that which would secure him decisive victory.
दीर्घकालमपीक्षेत निहन्यादेव शात्रवान्। कालाकाङ्क्षीहि क्षपयेद् यथा विश्रम्भमाप्नुयुः॥ न सद्योऽरीन् विहन्याच्च द्रष्टव्यो विजयो ध्रुवः।