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.