Thirukkural 520 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நாடோறும் நாடுக மன்னன் வினைசெய்வான்
கோடாமை கோடா துலகு.
Transliteration
Naatorum Naatuka Mannan Vinaiseyvaan
Kotaamai Kotaa Thulaku
Modern English
“A leader should regularly check that the people doing the work remain honest and steady, because their conduct shapes everyone else.”
Modern Interpretation
A leader should regularly check that the people doing the work remain honest and steady, because their conduct shapes everyone else. For example, a manager who reviews safety practices each day helps the whole workplace take them seriously.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A leader should regularly check that the people doing the work remain honest and steady, because their conduct shapes everyone else.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Worker straight the world is straight The king must look to this aright
G.U. Pope Translation
Let king search out his servants' deeds each day;When these do right, the world goes rightly on its way
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let a king daily examine the conduct of his servants; if they do not act crookedly, the world will not act crookedly
Tamil commentary
மேல் பதவியில் இருப்பவன் தவறு செய்யாவிட்டால் மக்களும் தவற செய்யார். அதனால் பதவியில் இருப்பவரை நாளும் கவனித்து நிர்வாகம் எச்சரிக்கையாக இருக்க வேண்டும்.
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