Thirukkural 518 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வினைக்குரிமை நாடிய பின்றை அவனை
அதற்குரிய னாகச் செயல்.
Transliteration
Vinaik Kurimai Naatiya Pindrai
Avanai Adharkuriya Naakach Cheyal
Modern English
“Once you know what work someone is suited for, place them in that kind of work.”
Modern Interpretation
Once you know what work someone is suited for, place them in that kind of work. For example, let the person who enjoys careful checking handle the team’s final proofreading.
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Modern Plain English
Once you know what work someone is suited for, place them in that kind of work.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
His fitness for the duty scan Leave him to do the best he can
G.U. Pope Translation
As each man's special aptitude is known,Bid each man make that special work his own
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Having considered what work a man is fit for, let (the king) employ him in that work
Tamil commentary
ஒருவனை ஒரு பதவிக்கு உரியவனாக நியமித்த பிறகு, அப்பதவிக்கு உரிய செயல்களை அவனே செய்யுமாறு விட்டுவிடுக.
Chapter 52
More from Selection and Employment
தெரிந்து வினையாடல்
Employ the wise who will discern The good and bad and do good turn
Kural 512Let him act who resource swells; Fosters wealth and prevents ills
Kural 513Trust him in whom these four you see: Love, wit, non-craving, clarity
Kural 514Though tried and found fit, yet we see Many differ before duty
Kural 515Wise able men with power invest Not by fondness but by hard test
Kural 516Discern the agent and the deed And just in proper time proceed
Kural 517This work, by this, this man can do Like this entrust the duty due
Kural 518His fitness for the duty scan Leave him to do the best he can
Kural 519Who do duty for duty's sake Doubt them; and fortune departs quick
Kural 520Worker straight the world is straight The king must look to this aright