Kural #520
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
நாடோறும் நாடுக மன்னன்
வினைசெய்வான் கோடாமை கோடா துலகு
Nāṭōṟum nāṭuka maṉṉaṉ
Viṉaiceyvāṉ kōṭāmai kōṭā tulaku
English translation
A king should daily monitor whether his workers deviate; if they do not, his kingdom will not decline.
Listen
Explanation
Regular supervision (நாடோறும் நாடுக) is essential. When workers remain straight (கோடாமை), the kingdom remains stable. Neglect of oversight leads to deviations and decline. Consistent monitoring prevents problems.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 520 விளக்கம்: அரசன் தன் வேலையாட்கள் தவறாமல் வேலை செய்கிறார்களா என தினமும் கவனிக்கணும். அவர்கள் நேர்மையாக இருந்தால், நாடு கெடாமல் இருக்கும். கண்காணிப்பு அவசியம், இல்லையேல் நாடு தாழும்.
Word meanings
- நாடோறும்nāṭōṟumdaily
- நாடுகnāṭukashould examine
- மன்னன்maṉṉaṉking
- வினைviṉaiwork
- செய்வான்ceyvāṉone who does
- கோடாமைkōṭāmainot deviating
- கோடாதுkōṭātuwill not decline
- உலகுulakuworld/kingdom
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, the King employed two potters, Silas and Thomas. Silas, a diligent worker, crafted fine, sturdy pots. Thomas, however, was clever but often took shortcuts, using less clay and hurrying the firing process to earn more. The King, initially busy with matters of state, trusted his workers. Soon, Silas’s pots were in high demand, known for their quality. Thomas’s pots, though cheaper, cracked easily. One day, the King's advisor noticed the disparity. He suggested the King inspect the potters' work more closely. The King began to visit the pottery shed daily. He observed Silas's careful craft and Thomas's hurried ways. Thomas, realizing he was being watched, improved his methods. His pots, though still not as excellent as Silas's, became more durable. The village, as a result, enjoyed a wider selection of reliable pots.