Chapter 46 – Avoiding mean Associations / Sitrinanjeraamai
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 451
The great of soul will mean association fear;
The mean of soul regard mean men as kinsmen dear.
Explanation
(True) greatness fears the society of the base; it is only the low – minded who will regard them as friends.
Transliteration
451 Sitrinam Anjum Perumai Sirumaidhaan
Sutramaach Choozhndhu Vitum.
Couplet 452
The waters’ virtues change with soil through which they flow;
As man’s companionship so will his wisdom show.
Explanation
As water changes (its nature), from the nature of the soil (in which it flows), so will the character of men resemble that of their associates.
Transliteration
Nilaththiyalpaal Neerdhirin Thatraakum Maandharkku
Inaththiyalpa Thaakum Arivu.
Couplet 453
Perceptions manifold in men are of the mind alone;
The value of the man by his companionship is known.
Explanation
The power of knowing is from the mind; (but) his character is from that of his associates.
Transliteration
Manaththaanaam Maandhark Kunarchchi Inaththaanaam
Innaan Enappatunj Chol.
Couplet 454
Man’s wisdom seems the offspring of his mind;
‘Tis outcome of companionship we find.
Explanation
Wisdom appears to rest in the mind, but it really exists to a man in his companions.
Transliteration
Manaththu Ladhupolak Kaatti Oruvarku
Inaththula Thaakum Arivu.
Couplet 455
Both purity of mind, and purity of action clear,
Leaning no staff of pure companionship, to man draw near.
Explanation
Chaste company is the staff on which come, these two things, viz, purity of mind and purity of conduct.
Transliteration
Manandhooimai Seyvinai Thooimai Irantum
Inandhooimai Thoovaa Varum.
Couplet 456
From true pure-minded men a virtuous race proceeds;
To men of pure companionship belong no evil deeds.
Explanation
To the pure-minded there will be a good posterity by those whose associates are pure, no deeds will be done that are not good.
Transliteration
Manandhooyaark Kechchamnan Raakum Inandhooyaarkku
Illainan Raakaa Vinai.
Couplet 457
Goodness of mind to lives of men increaseth gain;
And good companionship doth all of praise obtain.
Explanation
Goodness of mind will give wealth, and good society will bring with it all praise, to men.
Transliteration
Mananalam Mannuyirk Kaakkam Inanalam
Ellaap Pukazhum Tharum.
Couplet 458
To perfect men, though minds right good belong,
Yet good companionship is confirmation strong.
Explanation
Yet good companionship is confirmation strong.
Transliteration
Mananalam Nankutaiya Raayinum Saandrorkku
Inanalam Emaap Putaiththu.
Couplet 459
Although to mental goodness joys of other life belong,
Yet good companionship is confirmation strong.
Explanation
Future bliss is (the result) of goodness of mind; and even this acquires strength from the society of the good.
Transliteration
Mananalaththin Aakum Marumaimar Raqdhum
Inanalaththin Emaap Putaiththu.
Couplet 460
Than good companionship no surer help we know;
Than bad companionship nought causes direr woe.
Explanation
There is no greater help than the company of the good; there is no greater source of sorrow than the company of the wicked.
Transliteration
Nallinaththi Noongun Thunaiyillai Theeyinaththin
Allar Patuppadhooum Il.
Seeking the Aid of Great Men / Periyaaraith Thunaikkotal
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 441
As friends the men who virtue knows, 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.
Transliteration
Aranarindhu Mooththa Arivutaiyaar Kenmai
Thiranarindhu Therndhu Kolal.
Couplet 442
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.
Transliteration
Utranoi Neekki Uraaamai Murkaakkum
Petriyaarp Penik Kolal.
Couplet 443
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.
Transliteration
Ariyavatru Lellaam Aridhe Periyaaraip
Penith Thamaraak Kolal.
Couplet 444
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.
Transliteration
Thammir Periyaar Thamaraa Ozhukudhal
Vanmaiyu Lellaan Thalai.
Couplet 445
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.
Transliteration
Soozhvaarkan Naaka Ozhukalaan Mannavan
Soozhvaaraik Soozhndhu Kolal.
Couplet 446
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.
Transliteration
Thakkaa Rinaththanaaith Thaanozhuka Vallaanaich
Chetraar Seyakkitandha Thil.
Couplet 447
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 ?.
Transliteration
Itikkun Thunaiyaarai Yaalvarai Yaare
Ketukkun Thakaimai Yavar.
Couplet 448
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.
Transliteration
Itippaarai Illaadha Emaraa Mannan
Ketuppaa Rilaanung Ketum.
Couplet 449
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.
Transliteration
Mudhalilaarkku Oodhiya Millai Madhalaiyaanjjch
Aarpilaark Killai Nilai.
Couplet 450
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.
Transliteration
Pallaar Pakai Kolalir Paththatuththa Theemaiththe
Nallaar Thotarkai Vital.
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