Thirukkural 549 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
குடிபுறங் காத்தோம்பிக் குற்றம் கடிதல்
வடுவன்று வேந்தன் தொழில்.
Transliteration
Kutipurang Kaaththompik Kutram Katidhal
Vatuvandru Vendhan Thozhil
Modern English
“Protecting people and correcting serious wrongdoing are duties of leadership, not signs of weakness.”
Modern Interpretation
Protecting people and correcting serious wrongdoing are duties of leadership, not signs of weakness. For example, a school must stop bullying and apply a fair consequence even when the student responsible is popular.
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Modern Plain English
Protecting people and correcting serious wrongdoing are duties of leadership, not signs of weakness.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Save his subjects and chide the wrong Is flawless duty of a king
G.U. Pope Translation
Abroad to guard, at home to punish, bringsNo just reproach; 'tis work assigned to kings
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
In guarding his subjects (against injury from others), and in preserving them himself; to punish crime
Tamil commentary
அயலவர் அழிக்காமல் குடிமக்களையும் தன்னையும் காத்து, குடிகளின் குறைகளைக் களைந்து நேரிய ஆட்சி செய்வது, ஆட்சியாளருக்குக் குறை ஆகாது. அது அவர் தொழில்.
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