PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அரசியல்
தெரிந்து தெளிதல்: Selection and Confidence
About this chapter
தெரிந்து தெளிதல், selection and confidence, is about choosing people to trust and employ. It describes how a ruler should test a person before giving him a responsibility, and why trust once given should not be withdrawn lightly.
Kural 501 gives a fourfold test: how a person treats virtue, wealth and pleasure, and how he behaves when his life is at risk. Kural 502 looks for a good family, freedom from faults and a sense of shame. Kural 503 admits how hard it is to find anyone free of ignorance, even among the learned and blameless. Kural 504 says to weigh both the good and the faults, and judge by which prevails. Kural 505 gives the key test, that a person's deeds are the touchstone of greatness or smallness. Kural 506 warns against trusting people with no ties of kin, who fear no blame. Kural 507 and Kural 508 warn against trusting those who lack wisdom out of fondness, or a stranger whose character one has not tested. Kural 509 gives the rule: trust no one without testing, but once tested, trust him with duties that suit him. Kural 510 closes with the point that trusting an untested person and doubting a tested one both bring lasting sorrow.
Kural 505 and Kural 509 are the two most worth learning.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance, since it describes choosing people for public responsibility.
The 10 kurals of தெரிந்து தெளிதல்
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.
அறம்பொருள் இன்பம் உயிரச்சம் நான்கின்
திறந்தெரிந்து தேறப் படும்.
Aramporul Inpam Uyirachcham Naankin
Thirandherindhu Therap Patum
How treats he virtue, wealth and pleasure? How, when life's at stake, Comports himself? This four-fold test of man will full assurance make
குடிப்பிறந்து குற்றத்தின் நீங்கி வடுப்பரியும்
நாணுடையான் சுட்டே தெளிவு.
Kutippirandhu Kutraththin Neengi Vatuppariyum
Naanutaiyaan Sutte Thelivu
Of noble race, of faultless worth, of generous prideThat shrinks from shame or stain; in him may king confide
அரியகற்று ஆசற்றார் கண்ணும் தெரியுங்கால்
இன்மை அரிதே வெளிறு.
Ariyakatru Aasatraar Kannum Theriyungaal
Inmai Aridhe Veliru
Though deeply learned, unflecked by fault, 'tis rare to see, When closely scanned, a man from all unwisdom free
குணம்நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி அவற்றுள்
மிகைநாடி மிக்க கொளல்.
Kunamnaatik Kutramum Naati Avatrul
Mikainaati Mikka Kolal
Weigh well the good of each, his failings closely scan, As these or those prevail, so estimate the man
பெருமைக்கும் ஏனைச் சிறுமைக்கும் தத்தம்
கருமமே கட்டளைக் கல்.
Perumaikkum Enaich Chirumaikkum Thaththam
Karumame Kattalaik Kal
Of greatness and of meanness too, The deeds of each are touchstone true
அற்றாரைத் தேறுதல் ஓம்புக மற்றவர்
பற்றிலர் நாணார் பழி.
Atraaraith Therudhal Ompuka Matravar
Patrilar Naanaar Pazhi
Beware of trusting men who have no kith of kin; No bonds restrain such men, no shame deters from sin
காதன்மை கந்தா அறிவறியார்த் தேறுதல்
பேதைமை எல்லாந் தரும்.
Kaadhanmai Kandhaa Arivariyaarth Therudhal
Pedhaimai Ellaan Tharum
By fond affection led who trusts in men of unwise soul, Yields all his being up to folly's blind control
தேரான் பிறனைத் தெளிந்தான் வழிமுறை
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.
Theraan Piranaith Thelindhaan Vazhimurai
Theeraa Itumpai Tharum
Who trusts an untried stranger, brings disgrace, Remediless, on all his race
தேறற்க யாரையும் தேராது தேர்ந்தபின்
தேறுக தேறும் பொருள்.
Therarka Yaaraiyum Theraadhu Therndhapin
Theruka Therum Porul
Trust no man whom you have not fully tried, When tested, in his prudence proved confide
தேரான் தெளிவும் தெளிந்தான்கண் ஐயுறவும்
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.
Theraan Thelivum Thelindhaankan Aiyuravum
Theeraa Itumpai Tharum
Trust where you have not tried, doubt of a friend to feel, Once trusted, wounds inflict that nought can heal
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