Seeking the Aid of Great Men

As friends the men who virtue know, and riper wisdom share,
Their worth weighed well, the king should choose with care

Explanation
Let (a king) ponder well its value, and secure the friendship of men of virtue and of mature knowledge.

Tamil Transliteration
Aranarindhu Mooththa Arivutaiyaar Kenmai
Thiranarindhu Therndhu Kolal.

Cherish the all-accomplished men as friends,
Whose skill the present ill removes, from coming ill defends

Explanation
Let (a king) procure and kindly care for men who can overcome difficulties when they occur, and guard against them before they happen.

Tamil Transliteration
Utranoi Neekki Uraaamai Murkaakkum
Petriyaarp Penik Kolal.

To cherish men of mighty soul, and make them all their own,
Of kingly treasures rare, as rarest gift is known

Explanation
To cherish great men and make them his own, is the most difficult of all difficult things.

Tamil Transliteration
Ariyavatru Lellaam Aridhe Periyaaraip
Penith Thamaraak Kolal.

To live with men of greatness that their own excels,
As cherished friends, is greatest power that with a monarch dwells

Explanation
So to act as to make those men, his own, who are greater than himself is of all powers the highest.

Tamil Transliteration
Thammir Periyaar Thamaraa Ozhukudhal
Vanmaiyu Lellaan Thalai.

The king, since counsellors are monarch's eyes,
Should counsellors select with counsel wise

Explanation
As a king must use his ministers as eyes (in managing his kingdom), let him well examine their character and qualifications before he engages them.

Tamil Transliteration
Soozhvaarkan Naaka Ozhukalaan Mannavan
Soozhvaaraik Soozhndhu Kolal.

The king, who knows to live with worthy men allied,
Has nought to fear from any foeman's pride

Explanation
There will be nothing left for enemies to do, against him who has the power of acting (so as to secure) the fellowship of worthy men.

Tamil Transliteration
Thakkaa Rinaththanaaith Thaanozhuka Vallaanaich
Chetraar Seyakkitandha Thil.

What power can work his fall, who faithful ministers
Employs, that thunder out reproaches when he errs

Explanation
Who are great enough to destroy him who has servants that have power to rebuke him ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Itikkun Thunaiyaarai Yaalvarai Yaare
Ketukkun Thakaimai Yavar.

The king with none to censure him, bereft of safeguards all,
Though none his ruin work, shall surely ruined fall

Explanation
The king, who is without the guard of men who can rebuke him, will perish, even though there be no one to destroy him.

Tamil Transliteration
Itippaarai Illaadha Emaraa Mannan
Ketuppaa Rilaanung Ketum.

Who owns no principal, can have no gain of usury;
Who lacks support of friends, knows no stability

Explanation
56 There can be no gain to those who have no capital; and in like manner there can be no permanence to.

Tamil Transliteration
Mudhalilaarkku Oodhiya Millai Madhalaiyaanjjch
Aarpilaark Killai Nilai.

Than hate of many foes incurred, works greater woe
Ten-fold, of worthy men the friendship to forego

Explanation
It is tenfold more injurious to abandon the friendship of the good, than to incur the hatred of the many.

Tamil Transliteration
Pallaar Pakai Kolalir Paththatuththa Theemaiththe
Nallaar Thotarkai Vital.