58.1 Gracious Compassion

 58.1 Gracious Compassion

Question:

          What makes the world exist?

Answer:

          The world exists because of the great and

beautiful quality called compassion exists.        (Couplet – 571)

கண்ணோட்டம் என்னும் கழிபெருங் காரிகை

உண்மையான் உண்டிவ் வுலகு.                         (குறள் – 571)

Explanation:

         When a person is accused of a crime, the nature and the circumstances under which he committed the crime must be investigated thoroughly. If there were any extenuating circumstances that led him to commit the crime, they should also be considered. Punishment must be proportionate to the severity of the crime. Also, if there is any chance of reforming him, that should be considered. The person who has the authority to punish the criminal should exercise as much compassion as possible and lean toward reforming the criminal into a useful, law-abiding citizen. Valluvar believes that this type of compassion is necessary for the world to exist. 

58.2 Gracious Compassion

 58.2 Gracious Compassion

Question:

How does a benign person handle the serious harm done to him?

 

Answer:

Benign people will drink even the poison given to them

and continue to be courteous.                                                          (Couplet – 580)

பெயக்கண்டும் நஞ்சுண் டமைவர் நயத்தக்க

நாகரிகம் வேண்டு பவர்.                                                        (குறள் – 580)

Explanation:

This suggestion by Valluvar may appear impractical, and hardly anyone can follow it. On the other hand, there are examples of great men who have graciously accepted the harm that was done to them. For instance, Mahatma Gandhi had no ill will or malice toward Nathuram Vinayak Godse, who killed him. The Buddha was accidentally served contaminated food, which caused his death. But he told his disciple Ananda to convince Cunda, who gave him the tainted food, that the meal he ate at his place had nothing to do with his death and that his meal would be a source of the greatest merit as it provided the last meal for a Buddha. Jesus Christ told his followers to forgive those who crucified him. Socrates calmly accepted the poisonous hemlock that was given to him. So, it is possible to practice such compassionate behavior like the great noble souls mentioned above.  

 

57.1 Against Acting with Cruelty

 57.1 Against Acting with Cruelty

Question:

              How should a criminal be punished?

Answer:

A king should analyze the crime that was committed,

should make inquiries, and impose punishments appropriate

      to the gravity of the crime, and ensure the prevention of such crimes.     (Couplet – 561)

தக்காங்கு நாடித் தலைச்செல்லா வண்ணத்தால்

ஒத்தாங்கு ஒறுப்பது வேந்து.                                                              (குறள் – 561)

Explanation:

         What Valluvar says for a king is equally applicable to all those who have the authority to judge and sentence people who have committed a crime. The judges should analyze the nature of the crime, the situation under which the crime was committed, and the background of the criminal. The punishment should be appropriate to the seriousness of the crime. Also, the penalty must have the potential to reform the criminal so that he might not commit additional crimes.

 

57.2 Against Acting with Cruelty

 57.2 Against Acting with Cruelty

Question:

              What happens to a leader who is mean and ruthless?

Answer:

              If a king is harsh in speech and devoid of compassion,

 he will lose his vast wealth.                                                             (Couplet – 566)

Harsh speech and excessive punishments are the files

that wear out the conquering power of the king.                     (Couplet – 567)

கடுஞ்சொல்லன் கண்ணிலன் ஆயின் நெடுஞ்செல்வம்

நீடின்றி ஆங்கே கெடும்.                                              (குறள் – 566)

கடுமொழியும் கையிகந்த தண்டமும் வேந்தன்

அடுமுரண் தேய்க்கும் அரம்.                                         (குறள் – 567)

Explanation:

          In Couplets 566 and 567, Valluvar says that if a king uses harsh words, has no compassion, and excessively punishes wrongdoers, he will lose his wealth and his ability to conquer his enemies. When a king or a leader abuses his power, and if he is arrogant, he will not have the support of those who work for him. In situations like that, it is easy for his enemies to conquer him. What Valluvar says in Couplets 566 and 567 is equally applicable to modern-day corporate leaders as well.

I used to work for a multi-billion-dollar company. The CEO of the company was a short-tempered man with a tendency to use harsh words and was not very compassionate. It was customary in that company that those who directly report to the CEO would brief the CEO each quarter about the revenue, income, and future business opportunities. If anyone reports that his division did not meet the revenue and or income targets, the CEO would immediately lose his temper and yell at the person who reported the bad news. If the same person happens to report that his division failed to meet the financial targets in the subsequent quarter, the CEO would immediately fire him. Because of this type of erratic behavior of the CEO, the employees were scared. To avoid getting the CEO’s wrath, people started falsifying the accounts and always reported what the CEO wanted to hear. It did not take long for the auditors to find out the true financial situation, and the information leaked to the press. When the CEO started his job, the company’s shares were selling at $70 per share of stock. Within two years, the company’s stock fell to $17 per share, and it was continuing its downward trend. The board of directors caught wind of the news and immediately fired the CEO. Within two years, under the management of a new CEO, the company’s stock bounced back and was moving upward.  

 

People at the top should have patience and come to the right conclusion after considering all the facts. Harsh words, bad temper, and handing out severe punishments to the subordinates will result in a lack of support and cooperation from the subordinates, adversely affecting the leader and his organization.

56.1 Tyrannical Rule

 56.1 Tyrannical Rule

Question:

              What is wrong with excessive taxation?

Answer:

Imposing excessive taxes by a ruler is like a highway

robber with a lance looting the helpless travelers. (couplet – 552)

வேலொடு நின்றான் இடுவென் றதுபோலும்

கோலொடு நின்றான் இரவு.                               (குறள் – 552)

Explanation:

When a highway robber armed with weapons threatens a wayfarer and demands him to give his valuables, the wayfarer has no choice but to give everything he has to the robber. Citizens are in the same state when the ruler imposes heavy taxes. They will be subject to penalties and even imprisonment if they do not pay the taxes. So, the ruler's actions are not different from that of the highway robber. 

56.2 Tyrannical Rule

 56.2 Tyrannical Rule

Question:

              What is the consequence of reckless government?

Answer:

Are not the unbearable tears of the oppressed citizens

are the weapons that destroy a ruler’s riches. (Couplet – 555)

அல்லற்பட்டு ஆற்றாது அழுதகண் ணீரன்றே

செல்வத்தைத் தேய்க்கும் படை      (குறள் – 555)

Explanation:

It is true that if the ruler or the ruling party causes major harm to the citizens, the citizens are likely to get angry and would like to remove the people in power. History has examples of terrible tyrants being assassinated. For example, the Roman Emperor Caligula, who ruled Rome from 37 AD to 41 AD, was cruel, extravagant, and a sexual pervert was assassinated. The incompetent and arrogant king of France, Louis XVI, who ruled France from 1774 to 1792, and his wife Maria Antoinette were guillotined to death. In modern democracies, if the ruling party has driven the country into serious financial troubles and caused extraordinary suffering to the citizens, they are likely to be defeated in the next election. For example, Jimmy Carter, the USA president from 1976 to 1980, was known for his incompetency. During his presidency, gasoline prices and inflation reached unprecedented heights. No wonder he and his party met with sound defeat in the 1980 general elections. On the other hand, Kim Jong Un of North Korea and Nicholas Maduro of Venezuela are examples of some of the worst kinds of dictators who have subjected their citizens to untold miseries. But they have managed to remain in power. So, it is true that when the rulers are unjust, arrogant, and incompetent, people would like to get rid of them. However, it is also true that not all evil and oppressive leaders will undoubtedly lose their power and wealth when they inflict misery on their citizens.  

55.1 Just Rule

 55.1 Just Rule

Question:

          What is the best way to administer justice?

Answer:

With thoughtful consideration, searching inquiry, impartiality,

              and consultation with experts to enforce the law justly:

that is the proper way to administer justice.                             (Couplet – 541)

ஓர்ந்துகண் ணோடாது இறைபுரிந்து யார்மாட்டும்

தேர்ந்துசெய் வஃதே முறை.                                          (குறள் – 541)

          Explanation:

              During the days of the monarchy, the king had the executive, judiciary, and legislative powers. He decided the law of the land. He was responsible for law and order in the country. When someone committed a crime, the king was supposed to determine the punishment and ensure that the proper sentence was carried out. In couplet 541, Valluvar says that the king should not show any favoritism towards the criminal, consult the law and the legal experts, if necessary, and use his authority to order proper punishment. The advice offered by Valluvar is equally applicable to the judges of the present day.

55.2 Just Rule

 55.2 Just Rule

Question:

                     How should a king punish cruel murderers?

Answer:

Passing death sentences on cruel murderers is like

removing weeds from green fields.                                         (Couplet – 550)

கொலையிற் கொடியாரை வேந்தொறுத்தல் பைங்கூழ்

களைகட் டதனொடு நேர்.                                                       (குறள் – 550)

          Explanation:

The king or whoever is responsible for punishing criminals who commit heinous crimes like murder must take their responsibility seriously and bring the full force of law to punish those criminals. There can be no worse crime than a crime like murder. Valluvar says sentencing such criminals to capital punishment is like the farmer removing the weeds from the field. Some critics condemn capital punishment as inhumane and claim Valluvar would not have meant capital punishment in couplet 550. The alternative to capital punishment is a life sentence. The simile of the farmer removing the weeds from the field implies that the farmer has no intention of transplanting the weeds and nurturing them. Punishing a criminal who has committed a serious crime like murder with a life sentence is analogous to the farmer transplanting the weed and nurturing them. Based on the simile Valluvar has used, it is clear that he favors capital punishment rather than a life sentence for criminals who commit serious crimes like murder.

 

54.1 Against Forgetfulness from excessive joy

 54.1 Against Forgetfulness from excessive joy

Question:

What is worse than excessive anger?

Answer:

Worse than excessive anger is the neglect that

arises from excessive joy.                                            (Couplet – 531)

இறந்த வெகுளியின் தீதே சிறந்த

உவகை மகிழ்ச்சியிற் சோர்வு.                                      (குறள் – 531)

Explanation:

         Anger has many consequences. Those who frequently become angry may develop serious health issues, including high blood pressure. Also, anger may affect relationships with friends and relatives. Forgetfulness is a common occurrence in the lives of most people. But the forgetfulness referenced by Valluvar in couplet 531 is the negligence of duty due to excessive indulgence in joyful activities. For example, if a king indulges excessively in regal pleasures, music, fine arts, and sex, he is likely to neglect to protect himself and his country. The famous anecdote about the Roman emperor Nero fiddling while Rome was burning is an example of neglecting to do one’s duty. If an individual engages in drugs and alcohol, he is likely to neglect his duties. The consequence of this type of negligence will be more severe than the ones from excessive anger.

54.2 Against Forgetfulness from excessive joy

 54.2 Against Forgetfulness from excessive joy

 

Question:

What should one do when one’s mind is exhilarated with joy?

Answer:

One should think of those ruined

by neglect when his mind is exhilarated with joy.                      (Couplet – 539)

இகழ்ச்சியின் கெட்டாரை உள்ளுக தாந்தம்

மகிழ்ச்சியின் மைந்துறும் போழ்து.                                              (குறள் – 539)

 

Explanation:

When someone is elated with joy, he should think of others who have been ruined by neglect due to excessive joy. In another couplet in the Chapter on Abstinence from Liquor, Valluvar makes a similar statement. There he asks, “When a man is sober and witnesses the condition of a drunken person, why does he not realize the ill effects of drinking?” Both situations are somewhat similar. The drunken man might be so complacent about his mental acuity that he might think that he might not behave like other drunkards when he is drunk. Likewise, the one who is thrilled with joy might believe that he will never neglect his duties and that he will not be ruined. The elated one with joy is quite likely to neglect his duties. So, he should be aware of the possibility of forgetfulness due to excessive joy.

54.3 Against Forgetfulness from excessive joy

 54.3 Against Forgetfulness from excessive joy

 

 

              Question:

                             What is the best way to achieve a goal?

              Answer:

It is easy to achieve your goal, provided you keep it in

your mind persistently.                                                         (Couplet- 540)

உள்ளியது எய்தல் எளிதுமன் மற்றுந்தான்

உள்ளியது உள்ளப் பெறின்.                                        (குறள் – 540)

Explanation:

In order to be successful in life, one should have a goal in mind and work towards that goal. The more often one thinks about the goal, the desire to achieve that goal will become more intense. The more the desire to achieve that goal, the more motivation to work towards that goal will also increase. The increased motivation will result in persistence in efforts towards that goal. Persistent efforts will help to achieve the desired goal. Many successful people have achieved their goals by persistently thinking about them and constantly working hard towards them.