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ADMINISTRATION OF KALINGA
189 Civil Servants are distinguished as being high, middle and low in rank ( PE I ). Selection of Officers.
Asoka may, naturally, be expected to have taken special care in tlic sclection of his various officers. The ministerial qualificatio:is demanded by Aśoka of the officers, desciving to be appointi 10 ivigher offices and entrusted with responsible duties, aulk', substantially, those stated in detail in the Arthuśāstra, and brictiy, hinted in the Classical Works. The Asokan way of stating them agrees rather with those in the Epics, the Pali Nikāyas and also the Jātakas. The strength of character is to be judged by the power of self-control, the purity of sentiment, the feeling of gratitude and the firmness of devotion (RE VII). The banetul mental distemper to be avoided consisted in wrath, conceit, malignity, irascibility, fierceniess, cruclty, and oppressiveness (SKE I and PE III). Dealings witia men to be citeclive must be enlivened by one's genial temperament, avoiding rudeness and fierceness, and expressing wiusome cordiality (SKE I). Little sin, much of good deeds, compassion, liberality, truthfulness, moral purity, gentleness and nobleness are the qualities which go to ennoble human character (PE II & III). Moral and physical ercrgy, ardour and enthusiasm are to be applied to general good, avoiding lethargy, inertia and weariness for csertion. The very best kind of longing for piety, self-examination, attentiveness, fear of public opinion and enthusiasm are needed for success in work. The instructions received are to be grasped in their letter and spirit, and are to be properly and fully carried out (SKE I and RE III). The noble feelings to be cherished in rendering service is to think that one is just discharging his debts (SKE I).1
1. Viz., Debts to the gods, to the rieħia and to the parents.
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