Kural #509
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
தேறற்க யாரையும் தேராது
தேர்ந்தபின் தேறுக தேறும் பொருள்
Tēṟaṟka yāraiyum tērātu
Tērntapiṉ tēṟuka tēṟum poruḷ
English translation
Trust no one without testing; after testing, trust them with appropriate responsibilities.
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Explanation
The word தேர் (to examine/test) appears five times, emphasizing the importance of testing. First test (தேர்ந்தபின்), then trust (தேறுக). And once trust is given, assign suitable tasks (தேறும் பொருள்). This is a complete formula for personnel management.
விளக்கம்
யாரையும் ஆராயாமல் நம்பாதே. நன்கு சோதித்த பின், தகுதிக்கேற்ப பொறுப்பைக் கொடு. தெரிந்து தெளிதல் அதிகாரத்தில், ஆட்களைத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கும் முறையை இது விளக்குகிறது. திறமை அறிந்து வேலை கொடுப்பதே சிறப்பு.
Word meanings
- தேறற்கtēṟaṟkado not trust
- யாரையும்yāraiyumanyone
- தேராதுtērātuwithout testing
- தேர்ந்தபின்tērntapiṉafter testing
- தேறுகtēṟukatrust
- தேறும்tēṟumappropriate
- பொருள்poruḷmatter/responsibility
Story behind this kural
The village elder, Thiru, needed a new grain keeper. He interviewed many. Some boasted of their honesty, others of their strength. He gave each a task: to guard a small pile of millet for a week. The first, a loudmouth named Arul, swore he’d die before letting a grain go missing. Yet, by week's end, the pile was half-gone, and Arul blamed rats. The second, a quiet man named Selvan, claimed to be humble, but the millet vanished entirely. He offered no excuses. Finally, came Kumar, who said little but asked many questions about the task. He carefully measured the millet, built a sturdy shelter, and checked it daily. At week’s end, only a few grains were missing, likely from birds. Thiru appointed Kumar as the grain keeper, giving him the keys to the granary. The village thrived, for Kumar proved trustworthy and diligent, while the others were soon forgotten.