Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Royalty (அரசியல்) — Selection and Confidence (தெரிந்துதெளிதல்)

Kural 501:
அறம்பொருள் இன்பம் உயிரச்சம் நான்கின்
திறந்தெரிந்து தேறப் படும்.
aRamporuL inpam uyirachcham naankin
thiRandherindhu thaeRap padum
English couplet:
How treats he virtue, wealth and pleasure? How, when life's at stake,
Comports himself? This four-fold test of man will full assurance make.
Explanation: Let (a minister) be chosen, after he has been tried by means of these four things, viz,-his virtue, (love of) money, (love of) sexual pleasure, and tear of (losing) life.

Kural 502:
குடிப்பிறந்து குற்றத்தின் நீங்கி வடுப்பரியும்
நாணுடையான் சுட்டே தெளிவு.
kutippiRandhu kutraththin neengi vaduppariyum
naaNutaiyaan suttae theLivu
English couplet:
Of noble race, of faultless worth, of generous pride
That shrinks from shame or stain; in him may king confide.
Explanation: (The king's) choice should (fall) on him, who is of good family, who is free from faults, and who has the modesty which fears the wounds (of sin).

Kural 503:
அரியகற்று ஆசற்றார் கண்ணும் தெரியுங்கால்
இன்மை அரிதே வெளிறு.
ariyakatru aasatraar kaNNum theriyungaal
inmai aridhae veLiRu
English couplet:
Though deeply learned, unflecked by fault, 'tis rare to see,
When closely scanned, a man from all unwisdom free.
Explanation: When even men, who have studied the most difficult works, and who are free from faults, are (carefully) examined, it is a rare thing to find them without ignorance.

Kural 504:
குணம்நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி அவற்றுள்
மிகைநாடி மிக்க கொளல்.
kuNamnhaatik kutramum naati avatruL
mikainhaati mikka koLal
English couplet:
Weigh well the good of each, his failings closely scan,
As these or those prevail, so estimate the man.
Explanation: Let (a king) consider (a man's) good qualities, as well as his faults, and then judge (of his character) by that which prevails.

Kural 505:
பெருமைக்கும் ஏனைச் சிறுமைக்கும் தத்தம்
கருமமே கட்டளைக் கல்.
perumaikkum Enaich chiRumaikkum thaththam
karumamae kattaLaik kal
English couplet:
Of greatness and of meanness too,
The deeds of each are touchstone true.
Explanation: A man's deeds are the touchstone of his greatness and littleness.

Kural 506:
அற்றாரைத் தேறுதல் ஓம்புக மற்றவர்
பற்றிலர் நாணார் பழி.
atraaraith thaeRudhal Ompuka matravar
patrilar naaNaar pazhi
English couplet:
Beware of trusting men who have no kith of kin;
No bonds restrain such men, no shame deters from sin.
Explanation: Let (a king) avoid choosing men who have no relations; such men have no attachment, and therefore have no fear of crime.

Kural 507:
காதன்மை கந்தா அறிவறியார்த் தேறுதல்
பேதைமை எல்லாந் தரும்.
kaadhanmai kandhaa aRivaRiyaarth thaeRudhal
paedhaimai ellaanh tharum
English couplet:
By fond affection led who trusts in men of unwise soul,
Yields all his being up to folly's blind control.
Explanation: To choose ignorant men, through partiality, is the height of folly.

Kural 508:
தேரான் பிறனைத் தெளிந்தான் வழிமுறை
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்
thaeraan piRanaith theLindhaan vazhimuRai
theeraa idumpai tharum
English couplet:
Who trusts an untried stranger, brings disgrace,
Remediless, on all his race.
Explanation: Sorrow that will not leave even his posterity will come upon him chooses a stranger whose character he has not known.

Kural 509:
தேறற்க யாரையும் தேராது தேர்ந்தபின்
தேறுக தேறும் பொருள்.
theRaRka yaaraiyum thaeraadhu thaerndhapin
thaeRuka thaeRum poruL
English couplet:
Trust no man whom you have not fully tried,
When tested, in his prudence proved confide.
Explanation: Let (a king) choose no one without previous consideration; after he has made his choice, let him unhesitatingly select for each such duties as are appropriate.

Kural 510:
தேரான் தெளிவும் தெளிந்தான்கண் ஐயுறவும்
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.
thaeraan theLivum theLindhaan-kaN aiyuRavum
theeraa idumpai tharum
English couplet:
Trust where you have not tried, doubt of a friend to feel,
Once trusted, wounds inflict that nought can heal.
Explanation: To make choice of one who has not been examined, and to entertain doubts respecting one who has been chosen, will produce irremediable sorrow.