Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Royalty (அரசியல்) — Detectives (ஒற்றாடல்)

Kural 581:
ஒற்றும் உரைசான்ற நூலும் இவையிரண்டும்
தெற்றென்க மன்னவன் கண்.
otrum uraisaandra noolum ivaiyiraNdum
thetrenka mannavan kaN
English couplet:
These two: the code renowned and spies,
In these let king confide as eyes.
Explanation: Let a king consider as his eyes these two things, a spy and a book (of laws) universally esteemed.

Kural 582:
எல்லார்க்கும் எல்லாம் நிகழ்பவை எஞ்ஞான்றும்
வல்லறிதல் வேந்தன் தொழில்.
ellaarkkum ellaam nikazhpavai eGnGnaandrum
vallaRidhal vaendhan thozhil
English couplet:
Each day, of every subject every deed,
'Tis duty of the king to learn with speed.
Explanation: It is the duty of a king to know quickly (by a spy) what all happens, daily, amongst all men.

Kural 583:
ஒற்றினான் ஒற்றிப் பொருள்தெரியா மன்னவன்
கொற்றங் கொளக்கிடந்தது இல்.
otrinaan otrip poruLdheriyaa mannavan
kotranG koLakkitandhadhu il
English couplet:
By spies who spies, not weighing things they bring,
Nothing can victory give to that unwary king.
Explanation: There is no way for a king to obtain conquests, who knows not the advantage of discoveries made by a spy.

Kural 584:
வினைசெய்வார் தம்சுற்றம் வேண்டாதார் என்றாங்கு
அனைவரையும் ஆராய்வது ஒற்று.
vinaiseyvaar thamsutram vaeNdaadhaar endraangu
anaivaraiyum aaraaivadhu otru
English couplet:
His officers, his friends, his enemies,
All these who watch are trusty spies.
Explanation: He is a spy who watches all men, to wit, those who are in the king's employment, his relatives, and his enemies.

Kural 585:
கடாஅ உருவொடு கண்ணஞ்சாது யாண்டும்
உகாஅமை வல்லதே ஒற்று.
kataaa uruvotu kaNNanjaadhu yaaNdum
ukaaamai valladhae otru
English couplet:
Of unsuspected mien and all-unfearing eyes,
Who let no secret out, are trusty spies.
Explanation: A spy is one who is able to assume an appearance which may create no suspicion (in the minds of others), who fears no man's face, and who never reveals (his purpose).

Kural 586:
துறந்தார் படிவத்த ராகி இறந்தாராய்ந்து
என்செயினும் சோர்விலது ஒற்று.
thuRandhaar pativaththa raaki iRandhaaraaindhu
enseyinum soarviladhu otru
English couplet:
As monk or devotee, through every hindrance making way,
A spy, whate'er men do, must watchful mind display.
Explanation: He is a spy who, assuming the appearance of an ascetic, goes into (whatever place he wishes), examines into (all, that is needful), and never discovers himself, whatever may be done to him.

Kural 587:
மறைந்தவை கேட்கவற் றாகி அறிந்தவை
ஐயப்பாடு இல்லதே ஒற்று.
maRaindhavai kaetkavaR Raaki aRindhavai
aiyappaatu illadhae otru
English couplet:
A spy must search each hidden matter out,
And full report must render, free from doubt.
Explanation: A spy is one who is able to discover what is hidden and who retains no doubt concerning what he has known.

Kural 588:
ஒற்றொற்றித் தந்த பொருளையும் மற்றுமோர்
ஒற்றினால் ஒற்றிக் கொளல்.
otrotrith thandha poruLaiyum matrumoar
otrinaal otrik koLal
English couplet:
Spying by spies, the things they tell
To test by other spies is well.
Explanation: Let not a king receive the information which a spy has discovered and made known to him, until he has examined it by another spy.

Kural 589:
ஒற்றெற் றுணராமை ஆள்க உடன்மூவர்
சொற்றொக்க தேறப் படும்.
otreR RuNaraamai aaLka udanmoovar
sotrokka thaeRap padum
English couplet:
One spy must not another see: contrive it so;
And things by three confirmed as truth you know.
Explanation: Let a king employ spies so that one may have no knowledge of the other; and when the information of three agrees together, let him receive it.

Kural 590:
சிறப்பறிய ஒற்றின்கண் செய்யற்க செய்யின்
புறப்படுத்தான் ஆகும் மறை.
siRappaRiya otrin-kaN seyyaRka seyyin
puRappatuththaan aakum maRai
English couplet:
Reward not trusty spy in others' sight,
Or all the mystery will come to light.
Explanation: Let not a king publicly confer on a spy any marks of his favour; if he does, he will divulge his own secret.