Thirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அவை அறிதல்

Thirukkural 714

Chapter 72: அவை அறிதல் (The Knowledge of the Council Chamber) · Wealth

Kural 714

ஒளியார்முன் ஒள்ளிய ராதல் வெளியார்முன்
வான்சுதை வண்ணம் கொளல்.

Oliyaarmun Olliya Raadhal Veliyaarmun
Vaansudhai Vannam Kolal

Before the bright ones shine as doth the lightBefore the dull ones be as purest stucco white

Meaning

Ministers should be lights in the assembly of the enlightned, but assume the pure whiteness of mortar (ignorance) in that of fools.

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 அவை அறிதல்

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