Chapter 44: The Correction of Faults

செருக்குஞ் சினமும் சிறுமையும் இல்லார்
பெருக்கம் பெருமித நீர்த்து.

Serukkunj Chinamum Sirumaiyum Illaar
Perukkam Perumidha Neerththu

Plenty is their prosperity Who're free from wrath pride lust petty

Meaning: Truly great is the excellence of those (kings) who are free from pride, anger, and lust

இவறலும் மாண்பிறந்த மானமும் மாணா
உவகையும் ஏதம் இறைக்கு.

Ivaralum Maanpirandha Maanamum Maanaa
Uvakaiyum Edham Iraikku

Mean pride, low pleasure, avarice These add blemishes to a prince

Meaning: Avarice, undignified pride, and low pleasures are faults in a king

தினைத்துணையாங் குற்றம் வரினும் பனைத்துணையாக்
கொள்வர் பழிநாணு வார்.

Thinaiththunaiyaang Kutram Varinum Panaiththunaiyaak
Kolvar Pazhinaanu Vaar

Though millet-small their faults might seem Men fearing disgrace, Palm-tall deem

Meaning: Those who fear guilt, if they commit a fault small as a millet seed, will consider it to be as large as a palmyra tree

குற்றமே காக்க பொருளாகக் குற்றமே
அற்றந் த்ரூஉம் பகை.

Kutrame Kaakka Porulaakak Kutrame
Atran Tharooum Pakai

Watch like treasure freedom from fault Our fatal foe is that default

Meaning: Guard against faults as a matter (of great consequence; for) faults are a deadly enemy

வருமுன்னர்க் காவாதான் வாழ்க்கை எரிமுன்னர்
வைத்தூறு போலக் கெடும்.

Varumunnark Kaavaadhaan Vaazhkkai Erimunnar
Vaiththooru Polak Ketum

Who fails to guard himself from flaw Loses his life like flame-lit straw

Meaning: The prosperity of him who does not timely guard against faults, will perish like straw before fire

தன்குற்றம் நீக்கிப் பிறர்குற்றங் காண்கிற்பின்
என்குற்ற மாகும் இறைக்கு?

Thankutram Neekkip Pirarkutrang Kaankirpin
Enkutra Maakum Iraikku?

What fault can be the king's who cures First his faults, then scans others

Meaning: What fault will remain in the king who has put away his own evils, and looks after the evils of others

செயற்பால செய்யா திவறியான் செல்வம்
உயற்பால தன்றிக் கெடும்.

Seyarpaala Seyyaa Thivariyaan Selvam
Uyarpaala Thandrik Ketum

That miser's wealth shall waste and end Who would not for a good cause spend

Meaning: The wealth of the avaricious man, who does not expend it for the purposes for which he ought to expend it will waste away and not continue

பற்றுள்ளம் என்னும் இவறன்மை எற்றுள்ளும்
எண்ணப் படுவதொன் றன்று.

Patrullam Ennum Ivaranmai Etrullum
Ennap Patuvadhon Randru

The gripping greed of miser's heart Is more than fault the worst apart

Meaning: Griping avarice is not to be reckoned as one among other faults; (it stands alone - greater than all)

வியவற்க எஞ்ஞான்றும் தன்னை நயவற்க
நன்றி பயவா வினை.

Viyavarka Egngnaandrum Thannai Nayavarka
Nandri Payavaa Vinai

Never boast yourself in any mood Nor do a deed that does no good

Meaning: Let no (one) praise himself, at any time; let him not desire to do useless things

காதல காதல் அறியாமை உய்க்கிற்பின்
ஏதில ஏதிலார் நூல்.

Kaadhala Kaadhal Ariyaamai Uykkirpin
Edhila Edhilaar Nool

All designs of the foes shall fail If one his wishes guards in veil

Meaning: If (a king) enjoys, privately the things which he desires, the designs of his enemies will be useless