マキャヴェリの『君主論』ではかなりえげつない権謀術数が説かれますが、この『実利論』もかなりのどぎつさです。

The commentary also states, "The author of this book describes every possible tactic a monarch should employ in order to protect his own security, increase his national power, and acquire the territory of others. The examples of espionage activities that are developed throughout the book are among the most noteworthy. In the Indian classics, espionage is given great importance, and even in later works of literature, kings who fail to make proper use of spies are condemned. The use of spies is especially carefully explained, as stated in the following passage.

Reading this book, I do not envy you at all for being born in royalty. No matter how extravagant I may be, I would respectfully give back that right. Maybe Buddha felt that way too.

この本は古代インドとローマ帝国を結んだシルクロードについて学ぶのに最高の一冊です。図版や写真も豊富でイメージしやすく、解説も初心者でもわかりやすいように丁寧に語られます。 古代インド、ローマ帝国、どちらも私にとってはロマン溢れる大好きな世界です。その二つが繋がった本書は私にとっても大興奮の一冊でした。ぜひぜひおすすめしたい名著です。ぜひ手に取ってみてはいかがでしょうか。