Kural #447
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Tamil text
இடிக்குந் துணையாரை யாள்வானை
யாரே கெடுக்குந் தகைமை யவர்
Iṭikkun tuṇaiyārai yāḷvāṉai
Yārē keṭukkun takaimai yavar
English translation
Who can destroy one who employs associates who will rebuke him (when wrong)?
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Explanation
The best advisors are those who dare to criticize their leader when he errs. A ruler who keeps such honest counselors cannot be defeated because he will always be corrected before making fatal mistakes.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 447 விளக்கம்: தன்னைத் தவறு செய்யும்போது கண்டிக்கும் நண்பர்களை உடையவனை யாராலும் கெடுக்க முடியாது. பெரியோரைத் துணையாகக் கொள்ளுதல் அதிகாரத்தில், நல்ல ஆலோசகர்களே பாதுகாப்பென்பதை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். தவறுகளைத் திருத்திக் கொண்டால் வெற்றி நிச்சயம்.
Word meanings
- இடிக்கும்iṭikkumrebuking
- துணையாரைtuṇaiyāraiassociates
- ஆள்வானைāḷvāṉaione who employs
- யாரேyārēwho
- கெடுக்கும்keṭukkumcan destroy
- தகைமையவர்takamaiyavarcapable of that
Story behind this kural
King Alaric ruled the Sunstone Kingdom, known for its shimmering gold. Though generous, he was easily swayed by flattery. His advisor, the wise old Elara, often cautioned him against impulsive decisions. One day, a cunning merchant proposed a deal: vast riches in exchange for a small portion of the kingdom's land. Alaric, blinded by the promise of wealth, was ready to agree. Elara, however, stepped forward. "Your Majesty," she said, "this merchant's words are like honey, but his intentions may be sour. Consider the cost to your people." The King, initially annoyed, paused. He saw the doubt in Elara's eyes, the worry etched on the faces of his other advisors. After much deliberation, he rejected the merchant's offer. Later, the merchant was exposed as a swindler. Alaric, realizing Elara's foresight, embraced her counsel more than ever. The Sunstone Kingdom flourished, its wealth secured by wisdom, not mere gold.