Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Royalty (அரசியல்) — The Right Sceptre (செங்கோன்மை)

Kural 541:
ஓர்ந்துகண் ணோடாது இறைபுரிந்து யார்மாட்டும்
தேர்ந்துசெய் வஃதே முறை.
OrndhukaN Noataadhu iRaipurindhu yaarmaattum
thaerndhusey vaqdhae muRai
English couplet:
Search out, to no one favour show; with heart that justice loves
Consult, then act; this is the rule that right approves.
Explanation: To examine into (the crimes which may be committed), to show no favour (to any one), to desire to act with impartiality towards all, and to inflict (such punishments) as may be wisely resolved on, constitute rectitude.

Kural 542:
வானோக்கி வாழும் உலகெல்லாம் மன்னவன்
கோல்நோக்கி வாழுங் குடி.
vaanoakki vaazhum ulakellaam mannavan
koalnhoakki vaazhunG kuti
English couplet:
All earth looks up to heav'n whence raindrops fall;
All subjects look to king that ruleth all.
Explanation: When there is rain, the living creation thrives; and so when the king rules justly, his subjects thrive.

Kural 543:
அந்தணர் நூற்கும் அறத்திற்கும் ஆதியாய்
நின்றது மன்னவன் கோல்.
andhaNar nooRkum aRaththiRkum aadhiyaai
nindradhu mannavan koal
English couplet:
Learning and virtue of the sages spring,
From all-controlling sceptre of the king.
Explanation: The sceptre of the king is the firm support of the Vedas of the Brahmin, and of all virtues therein described.

Kural 544:
குடிதழீஇக் கோலோச்சும் மாநில மன்னன்
அடிதழீஇ நிற்கும் உலகு.
kutidhazheeik koaloachchum maanhila mannan
atidhazheei nhiRkum ulagu
English couplet:
Whose heart embraces subjects all, lord over mighty land
Who rules, the world his feet embracing stands.
Explanation: The world will constantly embrace the feet of the great king who rules over his subjects with love.

Kural 545:
இயல்புளிக் கோலோச்சும் மன்னவன் நாட்ட
பெயலும் விளையுளும் தொக்கு.
iyalpuLik koaloachchum mannavan nhaatta
peyalum viLaiyuLum thokku
English couplet:
Where king, who righteous laws regards, the sceptre wields,
There fall the showers, there rich abundance crowns the fields.
Explanation: Rain and plentiful crops will ever dwell together in the country of the king who sways his sceptre with justice.

Kural 546:
வேலன்று வென்றி தருவது மன்னவன்
கோலதூஉங் கோடா தெனின்.
vaelandru vendri tharuvadhu mannavan
koaladhoounG koataa thenin
English couplet:
Not lance gives kings the victory,
But sceptre swayed with equity.
Explanation: It is not the javelin that gives victory, but the king's sceptre, if it do no injustice.

Kural 547:
இறைகாக்கும் வையகம் எல்லாம் அவனை
முறைகாக்கும் முட்டாச் செயின்.
iRaikaakkum vaiyakam ellaam avanai
muRaikaakkum muttaach seyin
English couplet:
The king all the whole realm of earth protects;
And justice guards the king who right respects.
Explanation: The king defends the whole world; and justice, when administered without defect, defends the king.

Kural 548:
எண்பதத்தான் ஓரா முறைசெய்யா மன்னவன்
தண்பதத்தான் தானே கெடும்.
eNpadhaththaan Oraa muRaiseyyaa mannavan
thaNpadhaththaan thaanae kedum
English couplet:
Hard of access, nought searching out, with partial hand
The king who rules, shall sink and perish from the land.
Explanation: The king who gives not facile audience (to those who approach him), and who does not examine and pass judgment (on their complaints), will perish in disgrace.

Kural 549:
குடிபுறங் காத்தோம்பிக் குற்றம் கடிதல்
வடுவன்று வேந்தன் தொழில்.
kutipuRanG kaaththoampik kutram katidhal
vatuvandru vaendhan thozhil
English couplet:
Abroad to guard, at home to punish, brings
No just reproach; 'tis work assigned to kings.
Explanation: In guarding his subjects (against injury from others), and in preserving them himself; to punish crime is not a fault in a king, but a duty.

Kural 550:
கொலையிற் கொடியாரை வேந்தொறுத்தல் பைங்கூழ்
களைகட் டதனொடு நேர்.
kolaiyiR kotiyaarai vaendhoRuththal Paingoozh
kaLaikat tadhanodu naer
English couplet:
By punishment of death the cruel to restrain,
Is as when farmer frees from weeds the tender grain
Explanation: For a king to punish criminals with death, is like pulling up the weeds in the green corn.