Kural 546Chapter 55: The Right Sceptre

Thirukkural 546 in English

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

Tamil original

வேலன்று வென்றி தருவது மன்னவன்
கோலதூஉங் கோடா தெனின்.

Transliteration

Velandru Vendri Tharuvadhu Mannavan
Koladhooung Kotaa Thenin

Modern English

“Lasting success comes more from fair leadership than from force or impressive weapons.”

Modern Interpretation

Lasting success comes more from fair leadership than from force or impressive weapons. For example, a team follows a leader who keeps promises and makes fair decisions more willingly than one who only gives orders.

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Tamil pronunciation

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Modern Plain English

Lasting success comes more from fair leadership than from force or impressive weapons.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Not the spear but the sceptre straight That brings success to monarch's might

G.U. Pope Translation

Not lance gives kings the victory,But sceptre swayed with equity

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

It is not the javelin that gives victory, but the king's sceptre, if it do no injustice

Tamil commentary

ஆட்சியாளருக்கு வெற்றி தருவது ஆயுதம் அன்று; அவரின் நேரிய ஆட்சியே; அதுவும் தவறான ஆட்சியாக இல்லாதிருக்க வேண்டும்.

Chapter 55

More from The Right Sceptre

செங்கோன்மை

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Kural 541

Test and attest impartially Consult and act the laws justly

Kural 542

The earth looks up to sky and thrives And mankind to king's rod of justice

Kural 543

The Sage's scripture and virtue spring From the sceptre of a stately king

Kural 544

The world clings to the ruler's feet Whose sceptre clasps the people's heart

Kural 545

Full rains and yields enrich the land Which is ruled by a righteous hand

Kural 546

Not the spear but the sceptre straight That brings success to monarch's might

Kural 547

The king protects the entire earth And justice protects his royal worth

Kural 548

Hard of access, the unjust king He shall himself his ruin bring

Kural 549

Save his subjects and chide the wrong Is flawless duty of a king

Kural 550

Killing killers, the king, behold Weeds removes from cropful field