This saying, originating from King Andrianampoinimerina, emphasizes the significance of wise and just advisers. Even a foolish king can rule effectively if advised by wise counselors. Conversely, a kingdom is at risk of failing if its advisers are foolish, despite having a wise king. In essence, good advisers can compensate for the leader’s weaknesses. The equivalent proverb in English would be ‘Better an army of sheep led by a lion than an army of lions led by a sheep.’