It has been observed that there are very few ministers and employees who have the courage to give correct but unpleasant advice to the ruling class of the society and the ruling class also likes to listen to only those opinions which are pleasant but give wrong results. Generally the ruling class is surrounded by such persons who do not have the courage to apprise them with the real problems and the rulers are also not inclined to listen to any adverse opinion, resulting in miseries. This social phenomenon is nicely described in following Sanskrit verses ;
अप्रियस्यापि वचसः परिणामविरोधिनः|
वक्ता श्रोता च यत्रास्ति रमन्ते तत्र संपदः||
Apriyasyaapi vachasah parinaamavirodhinah.
Vaktaa shrotaa yatraasti ramante tatra sampadah.
Apriyasyaapi = apriyasya + api.
Apriyasya = not giving pleasure, not liked.
Vachasah = a statement.
Parinaama = result.
Virodhinah = opposite.
Vakta = the speaker.
Shrotaa = the listener.
Cha = and.
Yatraasti = yatra + asti.
Yatra = where.
Asti = exist , are.
Ramante = enjoy.
Tatra = there.
Sampadah = wealth, prosperity.
i.e. The society in which there are fearless and outspoken people who give advice which is unpleasant to hear but has beneficial effects and there are people who listen to it and follow it, that society is happy and prosperous.
One of the couplet from epic Ramcharitramanas, written by hindu poet Sant Tulsidas has stated that, if the minister, physician and guru (teacher) speak sweet words out of fear or greed, then the kingdom, the body and religion soon get destroyed.
मंत्री गुरु अरु वैद्य जों प्रिय बोलहिं भय आस|
राज धर्म तन तीनि कर होइ वेगहीं नाश ||
mantree guru aru vaidy jon priy bolahin bhay aas | raaj dharm tan teeni kar hoi vegaheen naash ||
These lines were directly related to the Sanskrit teaching. This chaupai (couplet) teaches us that true well-wishers are those who speak their welfare clearly without any fear or greed, even if it may sound unpleasant. We should always speak truthfully and honestly, even if it causes us displeasure or loss. We should never give wrong advice to anyone out of fear or hope of gain.