Thirukkural 511 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

நன்மையும் தீமையும் நாடி நலம்புரிந்த
தன்மையான் ஆளப் படும்.

Transliteration

Nanmaiyum Theemaiyum Naati Nalampurindha
Thanmaiyaan Aalap Patum

English Translation

“Employ the wise who will discern The good and bad and do good turn”

Plain-English meaning

He should be employed (by a king), whose nature leads him to choose the good, after having weighed both the evil and the good in any undertaking

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Employ the wise who will discern The good and bad and do good turn

G.U. Pope Translation

Who good and evil scanning, ever makes the good his joy;Such man of virtuous mood should king employ

Plain-English Meaning

He should be employed (by a king), whose nature leads him to choose the good, after having weighed both the evil and the good in any undertaking

ஒரு செயலை நம்மிடம் செய்யக் கொடுத்தால் அச்செயலின் நன்மை தீமை இரண்டையும் ஆராய்ந்து எது நன்மையோ அதையே செய்ய வேண்டும்.

Chapter 52

தெரிந்து வினையாடல்

Employ the wise who will discern The good and bad and do good turn

Let him act who resource swells; Fosters wealth and prevents ills

Trust him in whom these four you see: Love, wit, non-craving, clarity

Though tried and found fit, yet we see Many differ before duty

Wise able men with power invest Not by fondness but by hard test

Discern the agent and the deed And just in proper time proceed

This work, by this, this man can do Like this entrust the duty due

His fitness for the duty scan Leave him to do the best he can

Who do duty for duty's sake Doubt them; and fortune departs quick

Worker straight the world is straight The king must look to this aright