Kural #638
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Tamil text
அறிகொன்று அறியான் எனினும்
உறுதி உழையிருந்தான் கூறல் கடன்
Aṟikoṉṟu aṟiyāṉ eṉiṉum
Uṟuti uḻaiyiruntāṉ kūṟal kaṭaṉ
English translation
Even if the king rejects advice and remains ignorant, it is the duty of the minister beside him to speak the truth.
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Explanation
A minister must speak truth to power, regardless of whether the ruler listens. Even if advice is ignored (அறி கொன்று = killing knowledge), speaking truthfully remains the minister's sacred duty (கடன்).
விளக்கம்
அமைச்சரின் கடமை இது. அரசன் அறிவுரை கேட்காவிட்டாலும், அருகில் இருக்கும் அமைச்சர் உண்மையைச் சொல்ல வேண்டும். உண்மையே வெல்லும் என்பது இக்குறளின் நீதி. இது அமைச்சு அதிகாரத்தில் உள்ளது.
Word meanings
- அறிaṟiknowledge/advice
- கொன்றுkoṉṟukilling/rejecting
- அறியான்aṟiyāṉnot knowing
- எனினும்eṉiṉumeven if
- உறுதிuṟutitruth/firmness
- உழைuḻaibeside
- இருந்தான்iruntāṉone who is
- கூறல்kūṟalspeaking
- கடன்kaṭaṉduty
Story behind this kural
King Alaric, known for his impulsive decisions, declared war on the neighboring kingdom. His advisors, fearful of his temper, remained silent, nodding in agreement. Only Minister Theron, a man of unwavering integrity, dared to speak. "Your Majesty," Theron began, "the harvest has been poor. Our coffers are nearly empty. War will bring hardship to our people." Alaric scoffed, "Are you questioning my judgment?" Theron, undeterred, continued, "A wise king considers the welfare of his kingdom before all else. War at this time is not wise." Alaric, enraged, dismissed Theron's counsel and marched to battle. The war was swift, but disastrous. The kingdom was plunged into famine, and many lives were lost. When Alaric returned, humbled and defeated, he found Theron still at his post, ready to help rebuild the kingdom. Theron's duty had been done.