Thirukkural 554 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கூழுங் குடியும் ஒருங்கிழக்கும் கோல்கோடிச்
சூழாது செய்யும் அரசு.
Transliteration
Koozhung Kutiyum Orungizhakkum Kolkotich
Choozhaadhu Seyyum Arasu
Modern English
“A ruler who acts without thinking and twists justice can lose both the nation's resources and its people's trust.”
Modern Interpretation
A ruler who acts without thinking and twists justice can lose both the nation's resources and its people's trust. A business owner who keeps cheating workers may soon lose skilled staff and customers.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A ruler who acts without thinking and twists justice can lose both the nation's resources and its people's trust.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The king shall wealth and subjects lose If his sceptre he dares abuse
G.U. Pope Translation
Whose rod from right deflects, who counsel doth refuse,At once his wealth and people utterly shall lose
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The king, who, without reflecting (on its evil consequences), perverts justice, will lose at once both his wealth and his subjects
Tamil commentary
மேல்வருவதை எண்ணாது, தவறாக ஆள்பவன் தன் செல்வத்தையும், செல்வம் தரும் குடிமக்களையும் சேர்ந்தே இழந்துவிடுவான்.
Chapter 56
More from The Cruel Sceptre
கொடுங்கோன்மை
The unjust tyrant oppressor Is worse than cruel murderer
Kural 552Sceptered tyrant exacting gold Is \"give\" of lanced robber bold
Kural 553Spy wrongs daily and do justice Or day by day the realm decays
Kural 554The king shall wealth and subjects lose If his sceptre he dares abuse
Kural 555Groaning tears caused by tyrant's sway File the royal wealth away
Kural 556Glory endures by sceptre right Without it wanes the royal light
Kural 557Dry like the earth without rainfall Is graceless king to creatures all
Kural 558To have is worse than having not If ruler is unjust despot
Kural 559The sky withdraws season's shower If the king misuses his power
Kural 560The *six-functioned forget their lore Cows give less if kings guard no more * the six functions are: learning, teaching, giving, getting, sacrificing, kindling sacrifice These are duties of Vedic savants