Mahabharata 24: Too Soft Nor Too Harsh And Strict

Never extreme power bring to bear, Nor always a soft heart do thou wear; As time unfolds feel the flavour of air, Now harsh, now soft, be wise and fair. _________________________________________________________ Here is the transliteration of the original verse: tasmāt na ati utsŗjet tejahna cha nityam mŗduh bhavet | kāle kāle tu sam-prāptemŗduh tīkśhņah api vā bhavet || vana 28-23 || This is how Prahlaad advised Bali on whether to be soft or harsh: neither too harsh, nor ever too soft be; as time demands be soft or harsh. A middle path is what the verse seems to recommend. In Bhagavad-Gita also Krishna suggests a middle path and renounce going to the extreme.