Thirukkural 548 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
எண்பதத்தான் ஓரா முறைசெய்யா மன்னவன்
தண்பதத்தான் தானே கெடும்.
Transliteration
Enpadhaththaan Oraa Muraiseyyaa Mannavan
Thanpadhaththaan Thaane Ketum
Modern English
“A leader who is hard to reach and refuses to examine complaints will eventually lose respect and authority.”
Modern Interpretation
A leader who is hard to reach and refuses to examine complaints will eventually lose respect and authority. For example, a manager who ignores repeated reports of unfair treatment may drive away good workers and damage the organization.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A leader who is hard to reach and refuses to examine complaints will eventually lose respect and authority.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Hard of access, the unjust king He shall himself his ruin bring
G.U. Pope Translation
Hard of access, nought searching out, with partial handThe king who rules, shall sink and perish from the land
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The king who gives not facile audience (to those who approach him), and who does not examine and pass judgment (on their complaints), will perish in disgrace
Tamil commentary
நீதி தேடி வருவார்க்கு எளிய காட்சியாளனாய், நீதி தேடுவார் சொல்வதைப் பலவகை நூலாரோடும், ஆராய்ந்து நீதி வழங்காத ஆட்சியாளன். பாவமும் பலியும் எய்தித் தானே அழிவான்.
Chapter 55
More from The Right Sceptre
செங்கோன்மை
Test and attest impartially Consult and act the laws justly
Kural 542The earth looks up to sky and thrives And mankind to king's rod of justice
Kural 543The Sage's scripture and virtue spring From the sceptre of a stately king
Kural 544The world clings to the ruler's feet Whose sceptre clasps the people's heart
Kural 545Full rains and yields enrich the land Which is ruled by a righteous hand
Kural 546Not the spear but the sceptre straight That brings success to monarch's might
Kural 547The king protects the entire earth And justice protects his royal worth
Kural 548Hard of access, the unjust king He shall himself his ruin bring
Kural 549Save his subjects and chide the wrong Is flawless duty of a king
Kural 550Killing killers, the king, behold Weeds removes from cropful field