Thirukkural · பொருட்பால் · செங்கோன்மை

Thirukkural 550

Chapter 55: செங்கோன்மை (The Right Sceptre) · Wealth

Kural 550

கொலையிற் கொடியாரை வேந்தொறுத்தல் பைங்கூழ்
களைகட் டதனொடு நேர்.

Kolaiyir Kotiyaarai Vendhoruththal Paingoozh
Kalaikat Tadhanotu Ner

By punishment of death the cruel to restrain, Is as when farmer frees from weeds the tender grain

Meaning

For a king to punish criminals with death, is like pulling up the weeds in the green corn.

Plain English meaning from the 19th-century prose translation by W. H. Drew and John Lazarus. The verse above is G. U. Pope's translation (1886).

Other kurals in செங்கோன்மை

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