Kural 633Chapter 64: The Office of Minister of state

Thirukkural 633 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

பிரித்தலும் பேணிக் கொளலும் பிரிந்தார்ப்
பொருத்தலும் வல்ல தமைச்சு.

Transliteration

Piriththalum Penik Kolalum Pirindhaarp
Poruththalum Valla Thamaichchu

English Translation

“A minister cherishes friends Divides foes and the parted blends”

Plain-English meaning

The minister is one who can effect discord (among foes), maintain the good-will of his friends and restore to friendship those who have seceded (from him)

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

Compare translations

English Translation

A minister cherishes friends Divides foes and the parted blends

G.U. Pope Translation

A minister is he whose power can foes divide,Attach more firmly friends, of severed ones can heal the breaches wide

Plain-English Meaning

The minister is one who can effect discord (among foes), maintain the good-will of his friends and restore to friendship those who have seceded (from him)

Tamil commentary

நாட்டிற்கு நெருக்கடி வரும்போது பகையானவரைப் பிரித்தல், தம்முடன் இருப்பவரைக் கொடையாலும் இன்சொல்லாலும் பிரியாமல் காத்தல், தேவைப்பட்டால் முன்னே நம்முடன் இருந்து பிரிந்தவரைச் சேர்த்துக் கொள்ளுதல் என்னும் இவற்றில் வல்லவரே அமைச்சர்.

Chapter 64

More from The Office of Minister of state

அமைச்சு

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 631

He is minister who chooses Right means, time, mode and rare ventures

Kural 632

With these he guards people, -by his Knowledge, firmness and manliness

Kural 633

A minister cherishes friends Divides foes and the parted blends

Kural 634

A minister must sift reflect Select and say surely one fact

Kural 635

Have him for help who virtue knows Right wisdom speaks, ever apt in acts

Kural 636

Which subtler brain can stand before The keen in brain with learned love?

Kural 637

Albeit you know to act from books Act after knowing world's outlooks

Kural 638

The man in place must tell the facts Though the ignorant king refutes

Kural 639

Seventy crores of foes are better Than a minister with mind bitter

Kural 640

The unresolved, though well designed To fulfil an act they have no mind