पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - राजा भृत्य

राजा तुष्टो हि भृत्यानामर्थमात्रं प्रयच्छति ।
ते तु संमानमात्रेण प्राणैरप्युपकुर्वते ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

rAjA tuShTo hi bhRutyAnAm arthamAtraM prayacChati ।
te tu sanmAna mAtreNa prANAiH api upakurvate ॥

- panchatantra, mitrabheda

When a King likes the work of a servant, he just parts with money in the form of rewards. But, the servants on the other hand will be willing to lay down their lives in return of just the honor of being of service to the King. Isn't it an irony?

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda