Thirukkural 638 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறிகொன்று அறியான் எனினும் உறுதி
உழையிருந்தான் கூறல் கடன்.
Transliteration
Arikondru Ariyaan Eninum Urudhi
Uzhaiyirundhaan Kooral Katan
Modern English
“Even if a ruler is ignorant or refuses to listen, a minister must still offer firm and beneficial advice.”
Modern Interpretation
Even if a ruler is ignorant or refuses to listen, a minister must still offer firm and beneficial advice. For example, a team member should respectfully warn a leader about a serious risk instead of staying silent to avoid discomfort.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even if a ruler is ignorant or refuses to listen, a minister must still offer firm and beneficial advice.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The man in place must tell the facts Though the ignorant king refutes
G.U. Pope Translation
'Tis duty of the man in place aloud to sayThe very truth, though unwise king may cast his words away
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Although the king be utterly ignorant, it is the duty of the minister to give (him) sound advice
Tamil commentary
அறிந்து சொல்பவர் அறிவையும் மதியாமல், செய்யவேண்டிய வழிகளைத் தாமும் தெரியாமல், ஆட்சியாளர் இருந்தால், அக்குற்றம் கண்டு கோபம் கொள்ளாமல், அஞ்சாமல், அவருக்கு நன்மை தருவதைக் கூற வேண்டியது அமைச்சர் கடமையாகும்.
Chapter 64
More from The Office of Minister of state
அமைச்சு
He is minister who chooses Right means, time, mode and rare ventures
Kural 632With these he guards people, -by his Knowledge, firmness and manliness
Kural 633A minister cherishes friends Divides foes and the parted blends
Kural 634A minister must sift reflect Select and say surely one fact
Kural 635Have him for help who virtue knows Right wisdom speaks, ever apt in acts
Kural 636Which subtler brain can stand before The keen in brain with learned love?
Kural 637Albeit you know to act from books Act after knowing world's outlooks
Kural 638The man in place must tell the facts Though the ignorant king refutes
Kural 639Seventy crores of foes are better Than a minister with mind bitter
Kural 640The unresolved, though well designed To fulfil an act they have no mind