Thirukkural 528 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பொதுநோக்கான் வேந்தன் வரிசையா நோக்கின்
அதுநோக்கி வாழ்வார் பலர்.
Transliteration
Podhunokkaan Vendhan Varisaiyaa Nokkin
Adhunokki Vaazhvaar Palar
Modern English
“Fair leadership does not mean treating every person identically; it means recognizing each person’s merit and giving suitable support.”
Modern Interpretation
Fair leadership does not mean treating every person identically; it means recognizing each person’s merit and giving suitable support. For example, a coach may assign different roles according to each player’s strengths while respecting the whole team.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Fair leadership does not mean treating every person identically; it means recognizing each person’s merit and giving suitable support.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
From public gaze when kings perceive Each one's merits so many thrive
G.U. Pope Translation
Where king regards not all alike, but each in his degree,'Neath such discerning rule many dwell happily
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Many relatives will live near a king, when they observe that he does not look on all alike, but that he looks on each man according to his merit
Tamil commentary
சுற்றத்தார் எல்லாரையும் ஒன்று போலவே எண்ணாமல், அவரவர் தகுதிக்கு ஏற்ப ஆட்சியாளன் உபசரிப்பான் என்றால், அச்சிறப்பை எண்ணி அவனை விடாமல் வாழும் சுற்றத்தார் பலராவர்.
Chapter 53
More from Cherishing Kinsmen
சுற்றந் தழால்
Let fortunes go; yet kinsmen know The old accustomed love to show
Kural 522The gift of loving Kins bestows Fadeless fortune's fresh flowers
Kural 523A kinless wealth is like a tank Which overflows without a bank
Kural 524The fruit of growing wealth is gained When kith and kin are happy found
Kural 525Loving words and liberal hand Encircle kith and kin around
Kural 526Large giver and wrathless man Commands on earth countless kinsmen
Kural 527The crows hide not; thy call and eat Welfare abides a man of heart
Kural 528From public gaze when kings perceive Each one's merits so many thrive
Kural 529Forsaken friends will come and stay When cause for discord goes away
Kural 530Who leaves and returns with motive The king should test him and receive