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நடுவு நிலைமை: Impartiality
About this chapter
நடுவு நிலைமை, impartiality, is about keeping a balanced and fair mind in dealing with everyone, whatever one stands to gain or lose. It is the chapter in the household section that comes closest to the ethics of public life.
Kural 111 praises fairness as a great virtue when it is applied evenly, and the prose translation names the three groups to treat alike: enemies, strangers and friends. Kurals 112 to 114 look at consequences. The wealth of the upright does not perish and benefits their descendants (Kural 112), unjust gain should be dropped that very day even if it seems profitable (Kural 113), and one's children show whether one lived fairly (Kural 114). Kurals 115 and 117 present evenness of mind as the ornament of the wise, and Kural 116 warns that a mind straying from fairness should expect ruin. Kural 118 gives the chapter's best image, a balance-rod that rests level and weighs rightly. Kural 119 asks that fairness in speech be matched by fairness of mind, and Kural 120 applies the idea to the merchant, who must guard others' goods as his own.
Kural 118 and Kural 120 are the two to remember, one for the scale and the other for honest trade.
For the syllabus, fairness in judgement and dealing is a value that connects naturally to the governance theme.
The 10 kurals of நடுவு நிலைமை
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
தகுதி எனவொன்று நன்றே பகுதியால்
பாற்பட்டு ஒழுகப் பெறின்.
Thakudhi Enavondru Nandre Pakudhiyaal
Paarpattu Ozhukap Perin
If justice, failing not, its quality maintain, Giving to each his due, -'tis man's one highest gain
செப்பம் உடையவன் ஆக்கஞ் சிதைவின்றி
எச்சத்திற் கேமாப்பு உடைத்து.
Seppam Utaiyavan Aakkanj Chidhaivindri
Echchaththir Kemaappu Utaiththu
The just man's wealth unwasting shall endure, And to his race a lasting joy ensure
நன்றே தரினும் நடுவிகந்தாம் ஆக்கத்தை
அன்றே யொழிய விடல்.
Nandre Tharinum Natuvikandhaam Aakkaththai
Andre Yozhiya Vital
Though only good it seem to give, yet gainBy wrong acquired, not e'en one day retain
தக்கார் தகவிலர் என்பது அவரவர்
எச்சத்தாற் காணப்ப படும்.
Thakkaar Thakavilar Enpadhu Avaravar
Echchaththaar Kaanap Patum
Who just or unjust lived shall soon appear:By each one's offspring shall the truth be clear
கேடும் பெருக்கமும் இல்லல்ல நெஞ்சத்துக்
கோடாமை சான்றோர்க் கணி.
Ketum Perukkamum Illalla Nenjaththuk
Kotaamai Saandrork Kani
The gain and loss in life are not mere accident; Just mind inflexible is sages' ornament
கெடுவல்யான் என்பது அறிகதன் நெஞ்சம்
நடுவொரீஇ அல்ல செயின்.
Ketuvalyaan Enpadhu Arikadhan Nenjam
Natuvoreei Alla Seyin
If, right deserting, heart to evil turn, Let man impending ruin's sign discern
கெடுவாக வையாது உலகம் நடுவாக
நன்றிக்கண் தங்கியான் தாழ்வு.
Ketuvaaka Vaiyaadhu Ulakam Natuvaaka
Nandrikkan Thangiyaan Thaazhvu
The man who justly lives, tenacious of the right, In low estate is never low to wise man's sight
சமன்செய்து சீர்தூக்குங் கோல்போல் அமைந்தொருபால்
கோடாமை சான்றோர்க் கணி.
Samanseydhu Seerdhookkung Kolpol Amaindhorupaal
Kotaamai Saandrork Kani
To stand, like balance-rod that level hangs and rightly weighs, With calm unbiassed equity of soul, is sages' praise
சொற்கோட்டம் இல்லது செப்பம் ஒருதலையா
உட்கோட்டம் இன்மை பெறின்.
Sorkottam Illadhu Seppam Orudhalaiyaa
Utkottam Inmai Perin
Inflexibility in word is righteousness, If men inflexibility of soul possess
வாணிகம் செய்வார்க்கு வாணிகம் பேணிப்
பிறவும் தமபோல் செயின்.
Vaanikam Seyvaarkku Vaanikam Penip
Piravum Thamapol Seyin
As thriving trader is the trader known, Who guards another's interests as his own
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