Thirukkural 583 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒற்றினான் ஒற்றிப் பொருள்தெரியா மன்னவன்
கொற்றங் கொளக்கிடந்தது இல்.
Transliteration
Otrinaan Otrip Poruldheriyaa Mannavan
Kotrang Kolakkitandhadhu Il
Modern English
“Gathering reports is not enough; a ruler must understand what they mean and act on the lessons.”
Modern Interpretation
Gathering reports is not enough; a ruler must understand what they mean and act on the lessons. A team leader who collects feedback but never notices the recurring problem will not improve the project.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Gathering reports is not enough; a ruler must understand what they mean and act on the lessons.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Conquests are not for the monarch Who cares not for the Spy's remark
G.U. Pope Translation
By spies who spies, not weighing things they bring,Nothing can victory give to that unwary king
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
There is no way for a king to obtain conquests, who knows not the advantage of discoveries made by a spy
Tamil commentary
எல்லார் இடத்தும் நிகழ்வனவற்றை ஒற்றரைக் கொண்டு அறிந்து, நடப்பை தெரிந்து கொள்ளாத ஆட்சி, நிலைத்து வெற்றி பெற வேறொரு வழியே இல்லை.
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!