Thirukkural 581 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒற்றும் உரைசான்ற நூலும் இவையிரண்டும்
தெற்றென்க மன்னவன் கண்.
Transliteration
Otrum Uraisaandra Noolum Ivaiyirantum
Thetrenka Mannavan Kan
Modern English
“A ruler needs trustworthy information and sound law as two eyes.”
Modern Interpretation
A ruler needs trustworthy information and sound law as two eyes. A student council making a budget should hear accurate reports and follow its written rules.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A ruler needs trustworthy information and sound law as two eyes.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
A king should treat these two as eyes The code of laws and careful spies
G.U. Pope Translation
These two: the code renowned and spies,In these let king confide as eyes
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let a king consider as his eyes these two things, a spy and a book (of laws) universally esteemed
Tamil commentary
ஒற்று, புகழும் தெளிவும் உள்ள நீதிநூல் இவ்விரண்டும் ஆட்சியாளரின் இரு கண் என்று அறிக.
Chapter 59
More from Detectives
ஒற்றாடல்
A king should treat these two as eyes The code of laws and careful spies
Kural 582All that happens, always, to all The king should know in full detail
Kural 583Conquests are not for the monarch Who cares not for the Spy's remark
Kural 584His officers, kinsmen and foes Who watch keenly are worthy spies
Kural 585Fearless gaze, suspectless guise Guarding secrets mark the spies
Kural 586Guised as monks they gather secrets They betray them not under threats
Kural 587A spy draws out other's secrets Beyond a doubt he clears his facts
Kural 588The reports given by one spy By another spy verify
Kural 589Engage the spies alone, apart When three agree confirm report
Kural 590Give not the spy open reward It would divulge the secret heard!