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 57
AVOIDING TERRORISM
அதிகாரம் 57
வெருவந்த செய்யாமை
(கொடுமைகளைச் செய்யாதிருத்தல்)
~*~
Original
தக்காங்கு நாடித் தலைச்செல்லா வண்ணத்தால்
ஒத்தாங்கு ஒருப்பது வேந்து.
Pronunciation
Thakkaangu naadith thalaisellaa vaNNaththaal
Oththaangu oruppadhu vaendhu
Translation
A king inquires and gives sentence
Just to prevent future offence.
Comment
It is the duty of the king to inquire well and award punishment in such a way that he does not commit the crime again.
~*~
Original
கடிதுஓச்சி மெல்ல எரிக நெடிதுஆக்கம்
நீங்காமை வேண்டு பவர்.
Pronunciation
Kadidhu oachchi mella eriga nedidhuaakkam
Neengaamai vaeNdu pavar.
Translation
Wield fast the rod nut gently lay
This strict mildness prolongs the sway.
Comment
One who desires long term governance, while punishing for a crime, should show as if the punishment will be heavy but when administered it should be mild.
~*~
Original
வெருவந்த செய்தொழுகும் வெங்கோலன் ஆயின்
ஒருவந்தம் ஒல்லைக் கெடும்.
Pronunciation
Veruvandha seythozugum vengoalan aayin
Oruvandham ollaik kedum.
Translation
His cruel rod of dreadful deed
Brings King’s ruin quick indeed.
Comment
The king who governs as a tyrant at which the subjects are horrified, the king is sure to lose his kingdom before long.
~*~
Original
இறைகட்டியன் என்றுஉரைக்கும் இன்னாச்சொல் வேந்தன்
உறைகடுகி ஒல்லைக் கெடும்..
Pronunciation
Iraikattiyan enru uraikkum innaachchol vaendhan
Uraikadugi ollaik kedum.
Translation
As men the king a tyrant call
His days dwindled, hasten his fall.
Comment
The king who is called a tyrant by his subjects because of his tyrannous rule, will lose his rule as well as his life before long.
~*~
Original
அருஞ்செவ்வி இன்னா முகத்தான் பெருஞ்செல்வம்
பேஎய்கண் டன்னது உடைத்து.
Pronunciation
Arunchevvi innaa mugaththaan pernchelvam
PaeeykaNdannadhu udaiththu.
Translation
Whose sight is scarce, whose face is foul
His wealth seems watched by a ghoul.
Comment
The king who is inaccessible and has a rude face, his wealth will be of no use as the wealth in the control of a fearful ghost.
~*~
Original
கடுஞ்சொல்லன் கண்ணிலன் ஆயின் நெடுஞ்செல்வம்
நீடுஇன்றி ஆங்கே கெடும்.
Pronunciation
Kadunsollan kaNNilan aayin nedunselvam
Needu inri aangae kedum.
Translation
Whose word is harsh, whose sight is rude
His wealth and power quickly fade.
Comment
The king whose words are very harsh and who has no care for others as he looks his wealth will dwindle and vanish before long.
~*~
Original
கடுமொழியும் கைஇகந்த தண்டமும் வேந்தன்
அடுமுரண் தேய்க்கும் அரம்.
Pronunciation
Kadumozhiyum kaiikandha dhaNdamum vaendhan
AdumuraN thaeykkum aram.
Translation
Reproofs rough and punishments rude
Like files conquering power corrode.
Comment
King’s rude talk, and punishments disproportionate to the crime committed will be sufficient to make his wealth dwindle and corrode.
~*~
Original
இனத்துஆற்றி எண்ணாத வேந்தன் சினத்துஆற்றிச்
சீறின் சிறுகும் திரு.
Pronunciation
Inaththu aatri eNNaadha vaendhan sinaththu aatrich
Cheerin sirugum thiru.
Translation
The king who would not take counsels
Rages with wrath-his fortune fails.
Comment
The king who does not take into consideration the wise counsel of his ministers and acts abnormally with anger and impatience, he is bound to lose all his wealth before long.
~*~
Original
செருவந்த போழ்தில் சிறைசெய்யா வேந்தன்
வெருவந்து வெய்து கெடும்.
Pronunciation
Seruvandha poazhthil siraiseyyaa vaendhan
Veruvandhu veythu kedum.
Translation
The king who builds not fort betimes
Fears his foes in wars and dies.
Comment
The king who does not build and maintain fort during peacetime, will lose his kingdom when the enemies invade- he cannot save himself or his subjects.
~*~
Original
கல்லார்ப் பிணிக்கும்கடுங்கோல்; அதுவல்லது
இல்லை நிலக்குப் பொறை.
Pronunciation
Kallaarp piNikkum kadungoal adhuvalladhu
Illai nilakkup porai.
Translation
The crushing burden borne by earth
Is tyrants bound to fools uncouth.
Comment
The tyrant will keep as his friends only unread and fools and he is certainly a burden for the earth.
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Thiruvalluvar’s ‘Avoiding Terrorism’, in your words, commands a ruler to go by the do’s and dont’s to protect his country!
Punishment as a result of wrong judgment leads to a chain of offences, and a true punishment is one that instills fear in the wrong doer!
Being sweet and accessible guards one from surrendering the power to the ghost!
Health, life, and above all the kingdom are all well cared for, provided he chooses not to be cruel to the subjects!
Anger, and ignoring the advice of the wise is sure to destroy the wealth of a nation!
Never keep fools around, to make yourself burdensome!