Tamil Poets On Good Governance

By S. Sivathasan –September 3, 2015

S. Sivathasan

“every human being holds in and behind him all the past of his own race, of humanity and of himself; these three things determine his starting points and pursue him through his life’s progress.” – Aurobindo

Thiruvalluvar (Circa 2nd century AD) in his great work Thirukkural, has weighty things to say on Good Governance. Written ostensibly to reform the world and to sustain the scheme of values and of ethics and morals, it continues to benefit humanity through its 1330 couplets. It yet remains the greatest didactic work in Tamil.

To the poet, the excellence of the citizen composing the quality of the state is central to Good Governance. The King at the pinnacle of authority needs to be unimpeachable. The norms reach to all levels of society whatever be the change of designation over time. He has very many things to say on the varied facets of governance. Just a few glimpses are given.

On Kings

“A King who protects his people according to cannons of propriety and good governance, is exalted to the position of God”.
“A ruler should unfailingly possess learning, mental alertness and courage”
“He who in the station of a king is easy of access and never given to harsh words is esteemed by the people.

On Ministers

“Capacity for the choice of best options, making them realities and presenting a firm and clear decision to the monarch are attributes of a good Minister”.
“Even if a King be not too diligent as to favour good counsel, it is the duty of a Minister to offer sane advice”
“A Minister may plan with perfection, but when he lacks resoluteness in execution, he fails to achieve”.

On Envoys

“There are three indispensables for an Envoy; devotion to the King, wisdom born out of deep learning and great facility of speech”
“Let one possessed of wisdom, a commanding personality and erudition, set out on an Envoy’s mission”.
“It is the task of the Envoy to work for the benefit of the country and his master. Since such a mission takes him to the highest personages in other lands, he needs to be the foremost scholar among them”.
“An envoy while being coherent and concise, needs to eschew what is unpalatable, flavor his talk with humour and bring honour to the King”.
“Being spotless in character, agreeable in one’s ways and being courageous are three essential characteristics in an Envoy”.                                           Read More