Kural #631
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
கருவியும் காலமும் செய்கையும் செய்யும்
அருவினையும் மாண்டது அமைச்சு
Karuviyum kālamum ceykaiyum ceyyum
Aruviṉaiyum māṇṭatu amaiccu
English translation
A true minister is one who excels in assessing the means, the timing, the method of execution, and the difficult task to be accomplished.
Listen
Explanation
This opening kural defines the essential qualities of an ideal minister. Thiruvalluvar identifies four critical aspects: கருவி (resources/means), காலம் (timing), செய்கை (method), and அருவினை (difficult task). A skilled minister must master all four to serve effectively.
விளக்கம்
அமைச்சரின் திறமை கருவி, காலம், செயல், கடினமான வேலைகளைச் சரியாக கணிப்பதில் உள்ளது. இது பொருள் அதிகாரத்தில் அமைச்சின் முக்கியத்துவத்தை காட்டுகிறது. சரியான நேரத்தில், சரியான வழியில் செய்தால் வெற்றி நிச்சயம்.
Word meanings
- கருவிkaruvimeans/instruments/resources
- காலம்kālamtime/timing
- செய்கைceykaimethod/action
- செய்யும்ceyyumto be done
- அருவினைaruviṉaidifficult task
- மாண்டதுmāṇṭatuthat which excels
- அமைச்சுamaiccuminister/counsel
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a vast forest, lived two woodcutters, Arun and Bala. Arun, strong and impulsive, would immediately attack the largest trees with his axe, regardless of the season or the tool's sharpness. Bala, however, was thoughtful. He would first examine his axe, sharpening it meticulously. He'd then observe the forest, noting which trees were ready for harvest and which paths were easiest to travel. One harsh winter, the villagers desperately needed firewood. Arun, fueled by haste, felled many trees, but his blunt axe and poor planning led to broken tools and wasted wood. Bala, patient and prepared, chose his trees wisely, using the wind's direction to his advantage. He gathered more wood with less effort. As the snow piled high, Arun struggled to provide for his family. Bala, however, had a plentiful supply, ensuring his family and neighbors stayed warm throughout the bitter cold.