Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Royalty (அரசியல்) — The Correction of Faults (குற்றங்கடிதல்)

Kural 431:
செருக்குஞ் சினமும் சிறுமையும் இல்லார்
பெருக்கம் பெருமித நீர்த்து.
serukkunj sinamum siRumaiyum illaar
perukkam perumidha neerththu
English couplet:
Who arrogance, and wrath, and littleness of low desire restrain,
To sure increase of lofty dignity attain.
Explanation: Truly great is the excellence of those (kings) who are free from pride, anger, and lust.

Kural 432:
இவறலும் மாண்பிறந்த மானமும் மாணா
உவகையும் ஏதம் இறைக்கு.
ivaRalum maaNpiRandha maanamum maaNaa
uvakaiyum Edham iRaikku
English couplet:
A niggard hand, o'erweening self-regard, and mirth
Unseemly, bring disgrace to men of kingly brith.
Explanation: Avarice, undignified pride, and low pleasures are faults in a king.

Kural 433:
தினைத்துணையாங் குற்றம் வரினும் பனைத்துணையாக்
கொள்வர் பழிநாணு வார்.
thinaiththuNaiyaanG kutram varinum panaiththuNaiyaak
koLvar pazhinhaaNu vaar
English couplet:
Though small as millet-seed the fault men deem;
As palm tree vast to those who fear disgrace 'twill seem.
Explanation: Those who fear guilt, if they commit a fault small as a millet seed, will consider it to be as large as a palmyra tree.

Kural 434:
குற்றமே காக்க பொருளாகக் குற்றமே
அற்றந் த்ரூஉம் பகை.
kutramae kaakka poruLaakak kutramae
atran tharooum pakai
English couplet:
Freedom from faults is wealth; watch heedfully
'Gainst these, for fault is fatal enmity.
Explanation: Guard against faults as a matter (of great consequence; for) faults are a deadly enemy.

Kural 435:
வருமுன்னர்க் காவாதான் வாழ்க்கை எரிமுன்னர்
வைத்தூறு போலக் கெடும்.
varumunnark kaavaadhaan vaazhkkai erimunnar
vaiththooRu poalak kedum
English couplet:
His joy who guards not 'gainst the coming evil day,
Like straw before the fire shall swift consume away.
Explanation: The prosperity of him who does not timely guard against faults, will perish like straw before fire.

Kural 436:
தன்குற்றம் நீக்கிப் பிறர்குற்றங் காண்கிற்பின்
என்குற்ற மாகும் இறைக்கு.
than-kutram neekkip piRarkutranG kaaNkiRpin
en-kutra maakum iRaikku
English couplet:
Faultless the king who first his own faults cures, and then
Permits himself to scan faults of other men.
Explanation: What fault will remain in the king who has put away his own evils, and looks after the evils of others.

Kural 437:
செயற்பால செய்யா திவறியான் செல்வம்
உயற்பால தன்றிக் கெடும்.
seyaRpaala seyyaa thivaRiyaan selvam
uyaRpaala thandrik kedum
English couplet:
Who leaves undone what should be done, with niggard mind,
His wealth shall perish, leaving not a wrack behind.
Explanation: The wealth of the avaricious man, who does not expend it for the purposes for which he ought to expend it will waste away and not continue.

Kural 438:
பற்றுள்ளம் என்னும் இவறன்மை எற்றுள்ளும்
எண்ணப் படுவதொன் றன்று.
patruLLam ennum ivaRanmai etruLLum
eNNap paduvadhon Randru
English couplet:
The greed of soul that avarice men call,
When faults are summed, is worst of all.
Explanation: Griping avarice is not to be reckoned as one among other faults; (it stands alone - greater than all).

Kural 439:
வியவற்க எஞ்ஞான்றும் தன்னை நயவற்க
நன்றி பயவா வினை.
viyavaRka eGnGnaandrum thannai nayavaRka
nandri payavaa vinai
English couplet:
Never indulge in self-complaisant mood,
Nor deed desire that yields no gain of good.
Explanation: Let no (one) praise himself, at any time; let him not desire to do useless things.

Kural 440:
காதல காதல் அறியாமை உய்க்கிற்பின்
ஏதில ஏதிலார் நூல்.
kaadhala kaadhal aRiyaamai uykkiRpin
Edhila Edhilaar nool
English couplet:
If, to your foes unknown, you cherish what you love,
Counsels of men who wish you harm will harmless prove.
Explanation: If (a king) enjoys, privately the things which he desires, the designs of his enemies will be useless.