39.2 Kingship (Leadership)

 39.2 Kingship (Leadership)

 

Question:

What are the qualities a king (or a leader) must possess?

 

Answer:

Never to fail in these four things, namely courage, liberality, wisdom,

and energy, is the kingly character.                                                         (Couplet – 382)           

Alertness, learning, and bravery are the three virtues that should never be

absent from the ruler of a country.                                                         (Couplet – 383)           

A king should not fail in virtue but eschew vice and should not slip from

valor but maintain his honor.                                                                   (Couplet – 384)

If the ruler is easily accessible and is not harsh in his speech, the world

would shower high praise on him.                                                           (Couplet – 386)

The world will praise and obey the king who speaks kind words and

generous in giving.                                                                                      (Couplet – 387)

If a king administers justice and protects his subjects, he will be

regarded as God.                                                                                         (Couplet – 388)

The whole world will dwell under the king's umbrella who can

bear bitter criticism.                                                                                   (Couplet – 389)           

He is the beacon among kings who has these four qualities: beneficence,

 benevolence, rectitude, and concern for the citizens.                        (Couplet – 390)

 

அஞ்சாமை ஈகை அறிவூக்கம் இந்நான்கும்

எஞ்சாமை வேந்தர்க் கியல்பு.                                                      (குறள் – 382)

தூங்காமை கல்வி துணிவுடைமை இம்மூன்றும்

நீங்கா நிலனாள் பவர்க்கு.                                                           (குறள் – 383)              

அறனிழுக்கா தல்லவை நீக்கி மறனிழுக்கா

மானம் உடைய தரசு.                                                                  (குறள் – 384)

காட்சிக் கெளியன் கடுஞ்சொல்லன் அல்லனேல்

மீக்கூறும் மன்னன் நிலம்                                                            (குறள் – 386)

இன்சொலால் ஈத்தளிக்க வல்லார்க்குத் தன்சொலால்

தான்கண் டனைத்திவ் வுலகு.                                                     (குறள் – 387)

முறைசெய்து காப்பாற்றும் மன்னவன் மக்கட்கு

இறையென்று வைக்கப் படும்.                                                    (குறள் – 388)

செவிகைப்பச் சொற்பொறுக்கும் பண்புடை வேந்தன்

கவிகைக்கீழ்த் தங்கும் உலகு.                                                      (குறள் – 389)

கொடையளி செங்கோல் குடியோம்பல் நான்கும்

உடையானாம் வேந்தர்க்கு ஒளி.                                                            (குறள் – 390)

 

Explanation:

In the couplets above, Valluvar mentions twenty-one qualities that are applicable to a king (or a leader). Some of them can be considered essential for a king (or a leader), and others can be regarded as desirable qualities for a king (or a leader). The essential qualities are those qualities which, according to Valluvar, every king (or a leader) must possess. The desirable qualities may not be essential for a king (or a leader). But if a king (or a leader) has the desirable qualities, he will be considered an outstanding king (or a leader).

 

The following 10 qualities are considered essential for a king (or a leader): 1) courage, 2) liberality, 3) wisdom, 4) energy, 5) alertness, 6) learning, 7) bravery, 8) virtue, 9) avoiding vice, 10) maintaining honor without sacrificing courage.

 

             The following eleven qualities are considered desirable qualities for a king (or a leader): 1) easily accessible, 2) not speaking harsh words, 3) speaking kind words, 4) generous, 5) administering justice, 6) protecting citizens, 7) bearing bitter criticism, 8) beneficence, 9) benevolence, 10) rectitude, and 11) concern for the citizens.    

 

For a more detailed discussion of the qualities of a king (or a leader), please refer to the following blogs of the author:

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3843724419421471955/7035456097511603602

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3788500924819154109/7996533846131088699