Chapter 45: Seeking the Aid of Great Men

அறனறிந்து மூத்த அறிவுடையார் கேண்மை
திறனறிந்து தேர்ந்து கொளல்.

Aranarindhu Mooththa Arivutaiyaar Kenmai
Thiranarindhu Therndhu Kolal

Weigh their worth and friendship gain Of men of virtue and mature brain

Meaning: Let (a king) ponder well its value, and secure the friendship of men of virtue and of mature knowledge

உற்றநோய் நீக்கி உறாஅமை முற்காக்கும்
பெற்றியார்ப் பேணிக் கொளல்.

Utranoi Neekki Uraaamai Murkaakkum
Petriyaarp Penik Kolal

Cherish the help of men of skill Who ward and safe-guard you from ill

Meaning: Let (a king) procure and kindly care for men who can overcome difficulties when they occur, and guard against them before they happen

அரியவற்று ளெல்லாம் அரிதே பெரியாரைப்
பேணித் தமராக் கொளல்.

Ariyavatru Lellaam Aridhe Periyaaraip
Penith Thamaraak Kolal

Honour and have the great your own Is rarest of the rare things known

Meaning: To cherish great men and make them his own, is the most difficult of all difficult things

தம்மிற் பெரியார் தமரா ஒழுகுதல்
வன்மையு ளெல்லாந் தலை.

Thammir Periyaar Thamaraa Ozhukudhal
Vanmaiyu Lellaan Thalai

To have betters as intimates Power of all powers promotes

Meaning: So to act as to make those men, his own, who are greater than himself is of all powers the highest

சூழ்வார்கண் ணாக ஒழுகலான் மன்னவன்
சூழ்வாரைக் சூழ்ந்து கொளல்.

Soozhvaarkan Naaka Ozhukalaan Mannavan
Soozhvaaraik Soozhndhu Kolal

Ministers are the monarch's eyes Round him should be the right and wise

Meaning: As a king must use his ministers as eyes (in managing his kingdom), let him well examine their character and qualifications before he engages them

தக்கா ரினத்தனாய்த் தானொழுக வல்லானைச்
செற்றார் செயக்கிடந்த தில்.

Thakkaa Rinaththanaaith Thaanozhuka Vallaanaich
Chetraar Seyakkitandha Thil

To move with worthy friends who knows Has none to fear from frightful foes

Meaning: There will be nothing left for enemies to do, against him who has the power of acting (so as to secure) the fellowship of worthy men

இடிக்குந் துணையாரை யாள்வரை யாரே
கெடுக்குந் தகைமை யவர்.

Itikkun Thunaiyaarai Yaalvarai Yaare
Ketukkun Thakaimai Yavar

No foe can foil his powers whose friends reprove him when he errs

Meaning: Who are great enough to destroy him who has servants that have power to rebuke him ?

இடிப்பாரை இல்லாத ஏமரா மன்னன்
கெடுப்பா ரிலானுங் கெடும்.

Itippaarai Illaadha Emaraa Mannan
Ketuppaa Rilaanung Ketum

The careless king whom none reproves Ruins himself sans harmful foes

Meaning: The king, who is without the guard of men who can rebuke him, will perish, even though there be no one to destroy him

முதலிலார்க ஊதிய மில்லை மதலையாஞ்
சார்பிலார்க் கில்லை நிலை.

Mudhalilaarkku Oodhiya Millai Madhalaiyaanjjch
Aarpilaark Killai Nilai

No capital, no gain in trade No prop secure sans good comrade

Meaning: There can be no gain to those who have no capital; and in like manner there can be no permanence to

பல்லார் பகைகொளலிற் பத்தடுத்த தீமைத்தே
நல்லார் தொடர்கை விடல்.

Pallaar Pakai Kolalir Paththatuththa
Theemaiththe Nallaar Thotarkai Vital

To give up good friends is ten times worse Than being hated by countless foes

Meaning: It is tenfold more injurious to abandon the friendship of the good, than to incur the hatred of the many