Chapter 51: Selection and Confidence

அறம்பொருள் இன்பம் உயிரச்சம் நான்கின்
திறந்தெரிந்து தேறப் படும்.

Aramporul Inpam Uyirachcham Naankin
Thirandherindhu Therap Patum

Pleasure, gold, fear of life Virtue- Test by these four and trust the true

Meaning: Let (a minister) be chosen, after he has been tried by means of these four things, viz,-his virtue, (love of) money, (love of) sexual pleasure, and tear of (losing) life

குடிப்பிறந்து குற்றத்தின் நீங்கி வடுப்பரியும்
நாணுடையான் சுட்டே தெளிவு.

Kutippirandhu Kutraththin Neengi Vatuppariyum
Naanutaiyaan Sutte Thelivu

Spotless name of noble birth Shamed of stain-that choice is worth

Meaning: (The king's) choice should (fall) on him, who is of good family, who is free from faults, and who has the modesty which fears the wounds (of sin)

அரியகற்று ஆசற்றார் கண்ணும் தெரியுங்கால்
இன்மை அரிதே வெளிறு.

Ariyakatru Aasatraar Kannum Theriyungaal
Inmai Aridhe Veliru

Though deep scholars of stainless sense Rare is freedom from ignorance

Meaning: When even men, who have studied the most difficult works, and who are free from faults, are (carefully) examined, it is a rare thing to find them without ignorance

குணம்நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி அவற்றுள்
மிகைநாடி மிக்க கொளல்.

Kunamnaatik Kutramum Naati Avatrul
Mikainaati Mikka Kolal

Good and evil in man weigh well Judge him by virtues which prevail

Meaning: Let (a king) consider (a man's) good qualities, as well as his faults, and then judge (of his character) by that which prevails

பெருமைக்கும் ஏனைச் சிறுமைக்கும் தத்தம்
கருமமே கட்டளைக் கல்.

Perumaikkum Enaich Chirumaikkum Thaththam
Karumame Kattalaik Kal

By the touchstone of deeds is seen If any one is great or mean

Meaning: A man's deeds are the touchstone of his greatness and littleness

அற்றாரைத் தேறுதல் ஓம்புக மற்றவர்
பற்றிலர் நாணார் பழி.

Atraaraith Therudhal Ompuka Matravar
Patrilar Naanaar Pazhi

Choose not those men without kinsmen Without affine or shame of sin

Meaning: Let (a king) avoid choosing men who have no relations; such men have no attachment, and thereforehave no fear of crime

காதன்மை கந்தா அறிவறியார்த் தேறுதல்
பேதைமை எல்லாந் தரும்.

Kaadhanmai Kandhaa Arivariyaarth Therudhal
Pedhaimai Ellaan Tharum

On favour leaning fools you choose; Folly in all its forms ensues

Meaning: Yields all his being up to folly's blind control

தேரான் பிறனைத் தெளிந்தான் வழிமுறை
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.

Theraan Piranaith Thelindhaan Vazhimurai
Theeraa Itumpai Tharum

To trust an untried stranger brings Endless troubles on all our kins

Meaning: Sorrow that will not leave even his posterity will come upon him chooses a stranger whose character he has not known

தேறற்க யாரையும் தேராது தேர்ந்தபின்
தேறுக தேறும் பொருள்.

Therarka Yaaraiyum Theraadhu Therndhapin
Theruka Therum Porul

Trust not without testing and then Find proper work for trusted men

Meaning: Let (a king) choose no one without previous consideration; after he has made his choice, let him unhesitatingly select for each such duties as are appropriate

தேரான் தெளிவும் தெளிந்தான்கண் ஐயுறவும்
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.

Theraan Thelivum Thelindhaankan Aiyuravum
Theeraa Itumpai Tharum

Trust without test; The trusted doubt; Both entail troubles in and out

Meaning: To make choice of one who has not been examined, and to entertain doubts respecting one who has been chosen, will produce irremediable sorrow