Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, who lived around 3rd Century. Its translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.

Chapter 52

JUDGING AND ENTRUSTING

அதிகாரம் 53

தெரிந்து வினையாடல்

                                                                              ~*~

Original

நன்மையும் தீமையும் நாடி நலம்புரிந்த

தன்மையான் ஆளப் படும்.

Pronunciation

Nanmaiyum theemaiyum naadi nalampurindha

Thanmaiyaan aaLap padum..

Translation

Entrust the work to

The one who can discern good

And bad to complete.

Comment

Entrust the work to the one judging his ability to analyze good and bad and select the way of the good to successfully accomplish the job entrusted.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

வாரி பெருக்கி வளம்படுத்து உற்றவை

ஆராய்வான் செய்க வினை.

Pronunciation

Vaari perukki vaLampatuththu utravai

Aaraayvaan seyka vinai.

Translation

He is fit and right

Who knows his resources well

Improves and stops wrongs.

Comment

He is the right and fit person to accomplish successfully any work who knows his resources, strategies to improve and remove the hurdles on the way.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

அன்புஅறிவு தேற்றம் அவாஇன்மை இந்நான்கும்

நன்குடையான் கட்டே தெளிவு.                              

Pronunciation

Anbu arivu thaetram avaainmai innaangum

Nangudaiyaan kattae theLivu.

Translation

He can be trusted

Who has the four love, wit, no

Desire, clarity.

Comment

Right person who can be trusted and the work entrusted is he has the four qualities viz love, wisdom, desirelessness and clarity of thought and action.

                                                                               ~*~

Original

எனைவகையான் தேறியக் கண்ணும் வினைவகையான்

வேறுஆகும் மாந்தர் பலர்..

Pronunciation

Enaivagaiyaan thaeriyak kaNNum vinavagaiyaan

Vaeruaagum maandhar palar.

Translation

Though judged and found fit

Many found not to the mark

On due entrustment.

Comment

Even after careful observation, positive on judgment, when the work is actually entrusted prove our judgment wrong by their action.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

அறிந்துஆற்றிச் செய்கிற்பாற்கு அல்லால் வினைதான்

சிறந்தான்என்று ஏவற்பாற் றன்று.

Pronunciation

Arindhuaatrch cheykirpaarkku allaal vinaithaan

Sirandhaan aevarpaat ranru.

Translation

Select and entrust

To the one- wise, analyst

And not without test.

Comment

Do not entrust any work to the one who is not wise, capable of analyzing all factors, never deterred by hurdles midway.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

செய்வானை நாடி வினைநாடிக் காலத்தோடு

எய்த உணர்ந்து செயல்.

Pronunciation

Seyvaanai naadi vinainaadi kaalaththoadu

Eydha uNarndhu seyal..

Translation

Judge the person and

His action well before time

Entrust at right time.

Comment

Assess the person well beforehand and after proper judgment, entrust the work at the appropriate time.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

இதனை இதனால் இவன்முடிக்கும் என்றுஆய்ந்து

அதனை அவன்கண் விடல்.

Pronunciation
Idhanai idhanaal ivanmudikkum enruaayndhu

Adhanai avankaN vidal.

Translation

Judge whether by this

With this, by him can be done

Give the work to him,.

Comment

Before entrusting the work analyze and judge whether he can do this by this means and ways and then give the work to him.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

வினைக்குஉரிமை நாடிய பின்றை, அவனை

அதற்குஉரிய னாகச் செயல்.

Pronunciation

Vinaikku urimai naadiya pinrai avanai

Adharkkuuriya naagach cheyal.

Translation

Scan one’s fitness first

Then entrust the same in full

Make him owner next!

Comment

Judge whether a person is fit enough to accomplish a work thoroughly physically, mentally, intellectually and then entrust work to him; having entrusted leave it to him to complete without any interruption / interference.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

வினைக்கண் வினையுடையான் கேண்மைவேறு ஆக

நினைப்பானை நீங்கும் திரு.

Pronunciation

VinakkaN vinaiyudaiyaan kaeNmaivaeru aaga

Ninaippaanai neengum thiru.

Translation

Believe not the one

Who does duty for its sake

Fortune leaves him soon.

Comment

Entrusting a work to the one who wants do it just as a duty; fortune will not long last with him.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

நாள்தோறும் நாடுக மன்னன்; வினைசெய்வான்

கோடாமை கோடாது உலகு.

Pronunciation

NaaLthoarum naaduga mnnan vinaiseyvaan

Koadaamai koadaadhu ulagu.

Translation

King must approach one

Who does the things straight; then

The world bound to win.

Comments

When a king rightly judges and entrust the work to the right person who swerves not, the world will go straight towards success.