The Conduct of Affairs
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
uṟaiciṟiyā ruṇṇaṭuṅka lañcik kuṟaipeṟiṟ / koḷvar periyārp paṇintu.
“The men of lesser realm, fearing the people's inward dread, / Accepting granted terms, to mightier ruler bow the head.”
“The weak should not care to live in the midst of constant alarms: when an opportunity offereth itself they should submit to an alliance with the strong.”
Rulers of a smaller realm, fearing their people's inward trembling when confronted by greater power, bow and accept when fitting terms of peace are available.
Ask about this Kural
Answers are drawn only from this Kural's sourced text and named commentary, and always cite what they used.
Choose a section
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
உறை சிறியார்= ஆளுமிடம் சிறியராய அமைச்சர்; உள் நடுங்கல் அஞ்சி= தம்மின் வலியராய் எதிர்ந்தவழித் தம் பகுதி நடுங்கலை அஞ்சி; குறை பெறின் பெரியார்ப்பணிந்து கொள்வர்= அந்நிலைக்கு வேண்டுவதாய சந்து கூடுமாயின், அவரைத் தாழ்ந்து அதனை ஏற்றுக் கொள்வர்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Leaders of a smaller territory, seeking to spare their people from terror, will prudently bow to a greater power and accept an honorable peace if conditions are favorable.