Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Ministers of State (அமைச்சியல்) — Purity in Action (வினைத்தூய்மை)

Kural 651:
துணைநலம் ஆக்கம் த்ருஉம் வினைநலம்
வேண்டிய எல்லாந் தரும்.
thuNainhalam aakkam tharu-um vinainhalam
vaeNdiya ellaanh tharum
English couplet:
The good external help confers is worldly gain;
By action good men every needed gift obtain.
Explanation: The efficacy of support will yield (only) wealth; (but) the efficacy of action will yield all that is desired.

Kural 652:
என்றும் ஒருவுதல் வேண்டும் புகழொடு
நன்றி பயவா வினை.
endrum oruvudhal vaeNdum pukazhodu
nandri payavaa vinai
English couplet:
From action evermore thyself restrain
Of glory and of good that yields no gain.
Explanation: Ministers should at all times avoid acts which, in addition to fame, yield no benefit (for the future).

Kural 653:
ஒஓதல் வேண்டும் ஒளிமாழ்கும் செய்வினை
ஆஅதும் என்னு மவர்.
oOdhal vaeNdum oLimaazhkum seyvinai
aaadhum ennu mava
English couplet:
Who tell themselves that nobler things shall yet be won
All deeds that dim the light of glory must they shun.
Explanation: Those who say, "we will become (better)" should avoid the performance of acts that would destroy (their fame).

Kural 654:
இடுக்கண் படினும் இளிவந்த செய்யார்
நடுக்கற்ற காட்சி யவர்.
idukkaN patinum iLivandha seyyaar
natukkatra kaatchi yavar
English couplet:
Though troubles press, no shameful deed they do,
Whose eyes the ever-during vision view.
Explanation: Those who have infallible judgement though threatened with peril will not do acts which have brought disgrace (on former ministers).

Kural 655:
எற்றென்று இரங்குவ செய்யற்க செய்வானேல்
மற்றன்ன செய்யாமை நன்று.
etrendru iranguva seyyaRka seyvaanael
matranna seyyaamai nandru
English couplet:
Do nought that soul repenting must deplore,
If thou hast sinned, 'tis well if thou dost sin no more.
Explanation: Let a minister never do acts of which he would have to grieve saying, "what is this I have done"; (but) should he do (them), it were good that he grieved not.

Kural 656:
ஈன்றாள் பசிகாண்பான் ஆயினுஞ் செய்யற்க
சான்றோர் பழிக்கும் வினை.
eendraaL pasikaaNpaan aayinunhj seyyaRka
saandroar pazhikkum vinai
English couplet:
Though her that bore thee hung'ring thou behold, no deed
Do thou, that men of perfect soul have crime decreed.
Explanation: Though a minister may see his mother starve; let him do not act which the wise would (treat with contempt).

Kural 657:
பழிமலைந்து எய்திய ஆக்கத்தின் சான்றோர்
கழிநல் குரவே தலை.
pazhimalaindhu eydhiya aakkaththin saandroar
kazhinhal kuravae thalai
English couplet:
Than store of wealth guilt-laden souls obtain,
The sorest poverty of perfect soul is richer gain.
Explanation: Far more excellent is the extreme poverty of the wise than wealth obtained by heaping up of sinful deeds.

Kural 658:
கடிந்த கடிந்தொரார் செய்தார்க்கு அவைதாம்
முடிந்தாலும் பீழை தரும்.
katindha katindhoraar seydhaarkku avaidhaam
mutindhaalum peezhai tharum
English couplet:
To those who hate reproof and do forbidden thing.
What prospers now, in after days shall anguish bring.
Explanation: The actions of those, who have not desisted from doing deeds forbidden (by the great), will, even if they succeed, cause them sorrow.

Kural 659:
அழக்கொண்ட எல்லாம் அழப்போம் இழப்பினும்
பிற்பயக்கும் நற்பா லவை.
azhakkoNda ellaam azhappoam izhappinum
piRpayakkum naRpaa lavai
English couplet:
What's gained through tears with tears shall go;
From loss good deeds entail harvests of blessings grow.
Explanation: All that has been obtained with tears (to the victim) will depart with tears (to himself); but what has been by fair means; though with loss at first, will afterwards yield fruit.

Kural 660:
சலத்தால் பொருள்செய்தே மார்த்தல் பசுமண்
கலத்துள்நீர் பெய்திரீஇ யற்று.
salaththaal poruLseydhae maarththal pasumaN
kalaththuLnheer peydhiree-i yatru
English couplet:
In pot of clay unburnt he water pours and would retain,
Who seeks by wrong the realm in wealth and safety to maintain.
Explanation: (For a minister) to protect (his king) with wealth obtained by foul means is like preserving a vessel of wet clay by filling it with water.