Couplet: Who good and evil scanning, ever makes the good his joy; Such man of virtuous mood should king employ English Explanation: He should be employed (by a king), whose nature leads him to choose the good, after having weighed both the evil and the good in any undertaking Transliteration: Nanmaiyum Theemaiyum Naati Nalampurindha Thanmaiyaan Aalap Patum
Couplet: Who swells the revenues, spreads plenty o'er the land, Seeks out what hinders progress, his the workman's hand English Explanation: Let him do (the king's) work who can enlarge the sources (of revenue), increase wealth and considerately prevent the accidents (which would destroy it) Transliteration: Vaari Perukki Valampatuththu Utravai Aaraaivaan Seyka Vinai
Couplet: A loyal love with wisdom, clearness, mind from avarice free; Who hath these four good gifts should ever trusted be English Explanation: Let the choice (of a king) fall upon him who largely possesses these four things, love, knowledge, a clear mind and freedom from covetousness Transliteration: Anparivu Thetram Avaavinmai Innaankum Nankutaiyaan Katte Thelivu
Couplet: Even when tests of every kind are multiplied, Full many a man proves otherwise, by action tried English Explanation: Even when (a king) has tried them in every possible way, there are many men who change, from the nature of the works (in which they may be employed) Transliteration: Enaivakaiyaan Theriyak Kannum Vinaivakaiyaan Veraakum Maandhar Palar
Couplet: No specious fav'rite should the king's commission bear, But he that knows, and work performs with patient care English Explanation: (A king's) work can only be accomplished by a man of wisdom and patient endurance; it is not of a nature to be given to one from mere personal attachment Transliteration: Arindhaatrich Cheykirpaarku Allaal Vinaidhaan Sirandhaanendru Evarpaar Randru
Couplet: Let king first ask, 'Who shall the deed perform?' and 'What the deed?' Of hour befitting both assured, let every work proceed English Explanation: Let (a king) act, after having considered the agent (whom he is to employ), the deed (he desires to do), and the time which is suitable to it Transliteration: Seyvaanai Naati Vinainaatik Kaalaththotu Eydha Unarndhu Seyal
Couplet: 'This man, this work shall thus work out,' let thoughtful king command; Then leave the matter wholly in his servant's hand English Explanation: After having considered, "this man can accomplish this, by these means", let (the king) leave with him the discharge of that duty Transliteration: Ithanai Ithanaal Ivanmutikkum Endraaindhu Adhanai Avankan Vital
Couplet: As each man's special aptitude is known, Bid each man make that special work his own English Explanation: Having considered what work a man is fit for, let (the king) employ him in that work Transliteration: Vinaik Kurimai Naatiya Pindrai Avanai Adharkuriya Naakach Cheyal
Couplet: Fortune deserts the king who ill can bear, Informal friendly ways of men his tolls who share English Explanation: Prosperity will leave (the king) who doubts the friendship of the man who steadily labours in the discharge of his duties Transliteration: Vinaikkan Vinaiyutaiyaan Kenmaive Raaka Ninaippaanai Neengum Thiru
Couplet: Let king search out his servants' deeds each day; When these do right, the world goes rightly on its way English Explanation: Let a king daily examine the conduct of his servants; if they do not act crookedly, the world will not act crookedly Transliteration: 520 Naatorum Naatuka Mannan Vinaiseyvaan Kotaamai Kotaa Thulaku