Tirukkural Chapter 64 - Couplets 7,8,9,10 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
(Author - Tiruvalluvar 2000 years ago in Tamil)
அதிகாரம் 64 - அமைச்சு (மந்திரியின் திறம் கூறுதல்)
CHAPTER 64 - ON MINISTERS
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64/07. செயற்கை அறிந்தக் கடைத்தும் உலகத்து
இயற்கை யறிந்து செயல்.

64/07. Seyarrkkai arrindhak kadaiththum ulagaththu
Iyarrkkai yarindhu seyal.

64/07. Though a minister can act in terms of rules learnt by him
He should go in the worldly way, when actually dealing with cases.
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Amarnath: How far a minister can go in terms of rules
When he must act in the worldly way?

Harish: It is difficult finalize
Every civil or criminal case,
In terms of strict rules,
And legal regulations.

Some cases needs mercy,
And some needs no pity,
The minister only proposes,
The degree of punishments.

He carefully examines
Each and every case
For which he must possess
A high degree of legal sense.
***
திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 64 - அமைச்சு (மந்திரியின் திறம் கூறுதல்)
CHAPTER 64 - ON MINISTERS
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64/08. அறிகொன்று அறியான் எனினும் உறுதி
உழையிருந்தான் கூறல் கடன்.

64/08. Arrikondru arriyaan eninum urrudhi
Uzhaiirundhaan kooral kadan.

64/08. It is the duty of a minister to advice strongly
Without leaving the King, who doesn't understand the rules
Nor listen to others' advices.
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Amarnath: A minister must not leave the King at any cost
Even if the King doesn't care for his advice.

Harish: Normally a King listens
To his minister's advices,
But in some rare cases,
There may be differences.

For this, an ideal minister
Will not show his anger
But try to convince the King
Of the problems he'll be facing.

A minister must support
The King at any cost,
And not let him down
For any petty reason.
***

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 64 - அமைச்சு (மந்திரியின் திறம் கூறுதல்)
CHAPTER 64 - ON MINISTERS
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64/09. பழுதெண்ணும் மந்திரியின் பக்கத்துள் தெவ்வோர்
எழுபது கோடி யுறும்.

64/09. Pazhudhennum mandhiriyin plakkaththull thevvore
Ezhubadhu kodi yurrum.

64/09. A treacherous minister to a King is equal to
Seventy crores of enemies, who are better than that minister.
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Amarnath: The proverb says, "An open enemy is better
Than a cunning friend."

Harish: How far an open enemy is
A King very well knows,
But he clearly knows not
His cunning minister in front.

Face is the index of mind.
One day King will find
His minister is a cheat
And will kill him for that.

A King should select,
Not like this cheat,
But a dedicated honest
Minister for that post.
***
திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 64 - அமைச்சு (மந்திரியின் திறம் கூறுதல்)
CHAPTER 64 - ON MINISTERS
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64/10. முறைப்படச் சூழ்ந்தும் முடிவிலவே செய்வர்
திறப்பாடு இலாஅ தவர்.

64/10. Murraippadach soondhum mudivilave seivar
Thirrappadu ilaa dhavar.

64/10. An incompetent minister will start the work
But will not finish the same.
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Amarnath: A King must not select such incompetent ministers.

Harish: Qualification is one thing
Experience is another thing,
Both one should possess
For high administrative posts.

For a post like a minister,
The selection must be proper,
As the country will suffer,
If selection is improper.

"It is like a square peg
In a round hole, "
That'll be a misfit
For such a high post.
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