Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Ministers of State (அமைச்சியல்) — The Office of Minister of state (அமைச்சு)

Kural 631:
கருவியும் காலமும் செய்கையும் செய்யும்
அருவினையும் மாண்டது அமைச்சு.
karuviyum kaalamum seykaiyum seyyum
aruvinaiyum maaNdadhu amaichchu
English couplet:
A minister is he who grasps, with wisdom large,
Means, time, work's mode, and functions rare he must discharge.
Explanation: The minister is one who can make an excellent choice of means, time, manner of execution, and the difficult undertaking (itself).

Kural 632:
வன்கண் குடிகாத்தல் கற்றறிதல் ஆள்வினையோடு
ஐந்துடன் மாண்டது அமைச்சு.
van-kaN kutikaaththal katraRidhal aaLvinaiyoadu
aindhutan maantadhu amaichchu
English couplet:
A minister must greatness own of guardian power, determined mind,
Learn'd wisdom, manly effort with the former five combined.
Explanation: The minister is one who in addition to the aforesaid five things excels in the possession of firmness, protection of subjects, clearness by learning, and perseverance.

Kural 633:
பிரித்தலும் பேணிக் கொளலும் பிரிந்தார்ப்
பொருத்தலும் வல்ல தமைச்சு.
piriththalum paenik koLalum pirindhaarp
poruththalum valla thamaichchu
English couplet:
A minister is he whose power can foes divide,
Attach more firmly friends, of severed ones can heal the breaches wide.
Explanation: The minister is one who can effect discord (among foes), maintain the good-will of his friends and restore to friendship those who have seceded (from him).

Kural 634:
தெரிதலும் தேர்ந்து செயலும் ஒருதலையாச்
சொல்லலும் வல்லது அமைச்சு.
theridhalum thaerndhu seyalum orudhalaiyaach
sollalum valladhu amaichchu
English couplet:
A minister has power to see the methods help afford,
To ponder long, then utter calm conclusive word.
Explanation: The minister is one who is able to comprehend (the whole nature of an undertaking), execute it in the best manner possible, and offer assuring advice (in time of necessity).

Kural 635:
அறனறிந்து ஆன்றமைந்த சொல்லான்எஞ் ஞான்றுந்
திறனறிந்தான் தேர்ச்சித் துணை.
aRanarindhu aandramaindha sollaanenhj Gnaandrunh
thiRanarindhaan thaerchchith thuNai
English couplet:
The man who virtue knows, has use of wise and pleasant words.
With plans for every season apt, in counsel aid affords.
Explanation: He is the best helper (of the king) who understanding the duties, of the latter, is by his special learning, able to tender the fullest advice, and at all times conversant with the best method (of performing actions).

Kural 636:
மதிநுட்பம் நூலோடு உடையார்க்கு அதிநுட்பம்
யாவுள முன்நிற் பவை.
madhinhutpam nooloadu udaiyaarkku adhinhutpam
yaavuLa munnhiR pavai
English couplet:
When native subtilty combines with sound scholastic lore,
'Tis subtilty surpassing all, which nothing stands before.
Explanation: What (contrivances) are there so acute as to resist those who possess natural acuteness in addition to learning ?.

Kural 637:
செயற்கை அறிந்தக் கடைத்தும் உலகத்து
இயற்கை அறிந்து செயல்.
seyaRkai aRindhak kadaiththum ulakaththu
iyaRkai aRindhu seyal
English couplet:
Though knowing all that books can teach, 'tis truest tact
To follow common sense of men in act.
Explanation: Though you are acquainted with the (theoretical) methods (of performing an act), understand the ways of the world and act accordingly.

Kural 638:
அறிகொன்று அறியான் எனினும் உறுதி
உழையிருந்தான் கூறல் கடன்.
aRikondru aRiyaan eninum uRudhi
uzhaiyirundhaan kooRal kadan
English couplet:
'Tis duty of the man in place aloud to say
The very truth, though unwise king may cast his words away.
Explanation: Although the king be utterly ignorant, it is the duty of the minister to give (him) sound advice.

Kural 639:
பழுதெண்ணும் மந்திரியின் பக்கததுள் தெவ்வோர்
எழுபது கோடி உறும்.
pazhudheNNum mandhiriyin pakkadhadhuL thevvoar
ezhupadhu koadi uRum
English couplet:
A minister who by king's side plots evil things
Worse woes than countless foemen brings.
Explanation: Far better are seventy crores of enemies (for a king) than a minister at his side who intends (his) ruin.

Kural 640:
முறைப்படச் சூழ்ந்தும் முடிவிலவே செய்வர்
திறப்பாடு இலாஅ தவர்.
muRaippatach soozhndhum mutivilavae seyvar
thiRappaatu ilaaa thavar
English couplet:
For gain of end desired just counsel nought avails
To minister, when tact in execution fails.
Explanation: Those ministers who are destitute of (executive) ability will fail to carry out their projects, although they may have contrived aright.