Thirukkural 386 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
காட்சிக் கெளியன் கடுஞ்சொல்லன் அல்லனேல்
மீக்கூறும் மன்னன் நிலம்
Transliteration
Kaatchik Keliyan Katunjollan Allanel
Meekkoorum Mannan Nilam
Modern English
“People respect a leader who is easy to approach and does not use harsh words.”
Modern Interpretation
People respect a leader who is easy to approach and does not use harsh words. For example, employees are more likely to report a problem early when their manager listens calmly instead of attacking the messenger.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People respect a leader who is easy to approach and does not use harsh words.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
That land prospers where the king is Easy to see, not harsh of words
G.U. Pope Translation
Where king is easy of access, where no harsh word repels,That land's high praises every subject swells
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The whole world will exalt the country of the king who is easy of access, and who is free from harsh language
Tamil commentary
நீதி வேண்டி வருபவர் காண்பதற்கு எளியனாய், எவர் இடத்தும் கடுஞ்சொல் கூறாதவனாய் இருந்தால், ஆளுவோனின் ஆட்சிப் பரப்பு விரிவடையும். (அவர் கட்சி வெற்றி பெறும்தொகுதிகள் கூடும்)
Chapter 39
More from The Greatness of a King
இறைமாட்சி
People, troops, wealth, forts, council, friends Who owns these six is lion of kings
Kural 382Courage, giving, knowledge and zeal Are four failless features royal
Kural 383Alertness, learning bravery Are adjuncts three of monarchy
Kural 384A brave noble king refrains from vice Full of virtue and enterprise
Kural 385The able king gets, stores and guards And spends them for people's safeguards
Kural 386That land prospers where the king is Easy to see, not harsh of words
Kural 387The world commends and acts his phrase Who sweetly speaks and gives with grace
Kural 388He is the Lord of men who does Sound justice and saves his race
Kural 389Under his shelter thrives the world Who bears remarks bitter and bold
Kural 390He is the Light of Kings who has Bounty, justice, care and grace