Selection and Employment

Who good and evil scanning, ever makes the good his joy;
Such man of virtuous mood should king employ

Explanation
He should be employed (by a king), whose nature leads him to choose the good, after having weighed both the evil and the good in any undertaking.

Tamil Transliteration
Nanmaiyum Theemaiyum Naati Nalampurindha
Thanmaiyaan Aalap Patum.

Who swells the revenues, spreads plenty o'er the land,
Seeks out what hinders progress, his the workman's hand

Explanation
Let him do (the king's) work who can enlarge the sources (of revenue), increase wealth and considerately prevent the accidents (which would destroy it).

Tamil Transliteration
Vaari Perukki Valampatuththu Utravai
Aaraaivaan Seyka Vinai.

A loyal love with wisdom, clearness, mind from avarice free;
Who hath these four good gifts should ever trusted be

Explanation
Let the choice (of a king) fall upon him who largely possesses these four things, love, knowledge, a clear mind and freedom from covetousness.

Tamil Transliteration
Anparivu Thetram Avaavinmai Innaankum
Nankutaiyaan Katte Thelivu.

Even when tests of every kind are multiplied,
Full many a man proves otherwise, by action tried

Explanation
Even when (a king) has tried them in every possible way, there are many men who change, from the nature of the works (in which they may be employed).

Tamil Transliteration
Enaivakaiyaan Theriyak Kannum Vinaivakaiyaan
Veraakum Maandhar Palar.

No specious fav'rite should the king's commission bear,
But he that knows, and work performs with patient care

Explanation
(A king's) work can only be accomplished by a man of wisdom and patient endurance; it is not of a nature to be given to one from mere personal attachment.

Tamil Transliteration
Arindhaatrich Cheykirpaarku Allaal Vinaidhaan
Sirandhaanendru Evarpaar Randru.

Let king first ask, 'Who shall the deed perform?' and 'What the deed?'
Of hour befitting both assured, let every work proceed

Explanation
Let (a king) act, after having considered the agent (whom he is to employ), the deed (he desires to do), and the time which is suitable to it.

Tamil Transliteration
Seyvaanai Naati Vinainaatik Kaalaththotu
Eydha Unarndhu Seyal.

'This man, this work shall thus work out,' let thoughtful king command;
Then leave the matter wholly in his servant's hand

Explanation
After having considered, "this man can accomplish this, by these means", let (the king) leave with him the discharge of that duty.

Tamil Transliteration
Ithanai Ithanaal Ivanmutikkum Endraaindhu
Adhanai Avankan Vital.

As each man's special aptitude is known,
Bid each man make that special work his own

Explanation
Having considered what work a man is fit for, let (the king) employ him in that work.

Tamil Transliteration
Vinaik Kurimai Naatiya Pindrai Avanai
Adharkuriya Naakach Cheyal.

Fortune deserts the king who ill can bear,
Informal friendly ways of men his tolls who share

Explanation
Prosperity will leave (the king) who doubts the friendship of the man who steadily labours in the discharge of his duties.

Tamil Transliteration
Vinaikkan Vinaiyutaiyaan Kenmaive Raaka
Ninaippaanai Neengum Thiru.

Let king search out his servants' deeds each day;
When these do right, the world goes rightly on its way

Explanation
Let a king daily examine the conduct of his servants; if they do not act crookedly, the world will not act crookedly.

Tamil Transliteration
520 Naatorum Naatuka Mannan Vinaiseyvaan
Kotaamai Kotaa Thulaku.