Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 45 : Seeking the Aid of Great Men
 

Translation(s)

The king should choose with care as friends men who know virtue and share riper wisdom, after weighing their worth well.

 

Translation(s)

Cherish the all-accomplished men as friends whose skill removes present ill and defends from coming ill.

Explanation

Brains, like hearts, go where they are appreciated. – Robert S. McNamara , Former US Secretary of Defence

Translation(s)

To cherish men of mighty soul and make them all their own is known as rarest gift amongst rare kingly treasures.

 

Translation(s)

To live with men, who excel himself in greatness, as cherished friends is the greatest power that dwells with a monarch.

Explanation

This reminds us of the epitaph on the grave of Andrew Carnegie, one of richest industrialists in US and also one the greatest philanthropists: Here lies a man who employed men greater than him.

"The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team."
- John Wooden, American Basketball Coach and Player

Translation(s)

Since counselors are monarch’s eyes, the king should select counselors with wise counsel.

Explanation

This couplet appears to mean that wise counsel should be used for selecting counselors.

Translation(s)

The king who knows to live allied with worthy men has nothing to fear from foeman’s pride.

Explanation

This brings out the importance of having competent subordinates.

Translation(s)

What power can work his fall that employs faithful ministers who thunder out reproaches when he errs?

Explanation

This tells that managers must not to have yes men around him. The best are surrounded with subordinates who have the guts to voice and object to errors. Role of dissent, or confrontation, in management is emphasized.

Translation(s)

The king with none to censor him is bereft of all safeguards. Though no one work his ruin, he shall surely fall ruined.

Explanation

When there is no dissent – whatever be the reason – stagnancy arises and failure is sure to follow:

"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
- Lord Acton, 1887

Translation(s)

One who owns no principal can have no gain from money lending. [Similarly] one who lacks friends knows no stability.

 

Translation(s)

Foregoing friendship of worthy men works ten-fold greater woe than incurred by hate of many foes.

 

Summary Note

King should befriend great men, have them as his counselors.

[This whole sub-part is devoted to ‘Royalty,’ or Kings and Princes. There are no kings today but the role of a Chief Executive Officer in an organization has some similarities to that of a king in his kingdom.

The king was a leader of his subjects. He had a counsel of advisors and a large organization (army, revenue collectors, judges) which he managed in order to run his kingdom. He protected and expanded his kingdom, he dispensed justice.

The CEO is also the leader of his subordinates. He has a core group of advisors who advice. He also has a large organization which he manages.

So we find some valuable insights in this sub-part relevant to our times and our roles as managers.

A Father & His Children at Feet of Thiruvalluvar'
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari,India
Credit: Mahesnn_2000, Flickr

References