Thirukkural · பொருட்பால் · கொடுங்கோன்மை

Thirukkural 551

Chapter 56: கொடுங்கோன்மை (The Cruel Sceptre) · Wealth

Kural 551

கொலைமேற்கொண் டாரிற் கொடிதே அலைமேற்கொண்டு
அல்லவை செய்தொழுகும் வேந்து.

Kolaimerkon Taarir Kotidhe Alaimerkontu
Allavai Seydhozhukum Vendhu

Than one who plies the murderer's trade, more cruel is the kingWho all injustice works, his subjects harassing

Meaning

The king who gives himself up to oppression and acts unjustly (towards his subjects) is more cruel than the man who leads the life of a murderer.

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 கொடுங்கோன்மை

How Thirukkural is asked in TNPSC exams

Find your weak TNPSC units before the exam does

Take a free TNPSC assessment on PrepMatic. It shows where you stand across General Tamil, General Studies and Aptitude, then builds a day-by-day study plan and mock tests focused on your weak subjects.

Start free assessment →Free forever plan · No credit card · 2-minute setup