पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - साम दण्ड

साम्नैव यत्र सिद्धिः न तत्र दण्डो बुधेन विनियोज्यः |
पित्तं यदि शर्करया शाम्यति कोऽर्थः पटोलेन ||

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

What can be got by exercising reasonable patience must never be escalated to a full fledged conflict. The wise men know this. Sour sensation in the mouth can be mitigated by eating sugar. Why would one resort to bitter-gourd instead?

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda