पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - मंत्रि

अंतस्सारैरकुटिलैरच्छिदैः सुपरीक्षितैः ।
मंत्रिभिर्धार्यते राज्यं सुस्तंभैरिव मंदिरम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

When constructing a building one must choose wood that is intrinsically strong, straight, without any cracks and well inspected so that they can be used as pillars that bear all the load. Similar qualities are to be expected out of minister to shoulder the weight of governance.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabhedha