Polity (பொருட்பால்) — The Excellence of an Army (படையில்) — The Excellence of an Army (படைமாட்சி)

Kural 761:
உறுப்பமைந்து ஊறஞ்சா வெல்படை வேந்தன்
வெறுக்கையுள் எல்லாம் தலை.
uRuppamaindhu ooRanjaa velpadai vaendhan
veRukkaiyuL ellaam thalai
English couplet:
A conquering host, complete in all its limbs, that fears no wound,
Mid treasures of the king is chiefest found.
Explanation: The army which is complete in (its) parts and conquers without fear of wounds is the chief wealth of the king.

Kural 762:
உலைவிடத்து ஊறஞ்சா வன்கண் தொலைவிடத்துத்
தொல்படைக் கல்லால் அரிது.
ulaividaththu ooRanjaa van-kaN tholaivitaththuth
tholpataik kallaal aridhu
English couplet:
In adverse hour, to face undaunted might of conquering foe,
Is bravery that only veteran host can show.
Explanation: Ancient army can alone have the valour which makes it stand by its king at the time of defeat, fearless of wounds and unmindful of its reduced strength.

Kural 763:
ஒலித்தக்கால் என்னாம் உவரி எலிப்பகை
நாகம் உயிர்ப்பக் கெடும்.
oliththakkaal ennaam uvari elippakai
naakam uyirppak kedum
English couplet:
Though, like the sea, the angry mice send forth their battle cry;
What then? The dragon breathes upon them, and they die!.
Explanation: What if (a host of) hostile rats roar like the sea ? They will perish at the mere breath of the cobra.

Kural 764:
அழிவின்றி அறைபோகா தாகி வழிவந்த
வன்க ணதுவே படை.
azhivindri aRaipoagaa thaaki vazhivandha
van-ka Nadhuvae padai
English couplet:
That is a host, by no defeats, by no desertions shamed,
For old hereditary courage famed.
Explanation: That indeed is an army which has stood firm of old without suffering destruction or deserting (to the enemy).

Kural 765:
கூற்றுடன்று மேல்வரினும் கூடி எதிர்நிற்கும்
ஆற்ற லதுவே படை.
kootrutandru maelvarinum koodi edhir-niRkum
aatra ladhuvae padai
English couplet:
That is a 'host' that joins its ranks, and mightily withstands,
Though death with sudden wrath should fall upon its bands.
Explanation: That indeed is an army which is capable of offering a united resistance, even if Yama advances against it with fury.

Kural 766:
மறமானம் மாண்ட வழிச்செலவு தேற்றம்
எனநான்கே ஏமம் படைக்கு.
maRamaanam maaNda vazhichchelavu thaetram
enanhaankae Emam padaikku
English couplet:
Valour with honour, sure advance in glory's path, with confidence;
To warlike host these four are sure defence.
Explanation: Valour, honour, following in the excellent-footsteps (of its predecessors) and trust-worthiness; these four alone constitute the safeguard of an army

Kural 767:
தார்தாங்கிச் செல்வது தானை தலைவந்த
போர்தாங்கும் தன்மை அறிந்து.
thaardhaangich chelvadhu thaanai thalaivandha
poardhaangum thanmai aRindhu
English couplet:
A valiant army bears the onslaught, onward goes,
Well taught with marshalled ranks to meet their coming foes.
Explanation: That is an army which knowing the art of warding off an impending struggle, can bear against the dust-van (of a hostile force).

Kural 768:
அடல்தகையும் ஆற்றலும் இல்லெனினும் தானை
படைத்தகையால் பாடு பெறும்.
adaldhakaiyum aatralum illeninum thaanai
padaiththakaiyaal paadu peRum
English couplet:
Though not in war offensive or defensive skilled;
An army gains applause when well equipped and drilled.
Explanation: Though destitute of courage to fight and strength (to endure), an army may yet gain renown by the splendour of its appearance.

Kural 769:
சிறுமையும் செல்லாத் துனியும் வறுமையும்
இல்லாயின் வெல்லும் படை.
siRumaiyum sellaath thuniyum vaRumaiyum
illaayin vellum padai
English couplet:
Where weakness, clinging fear and poverty
Are not, the host will gain the victory.
Explanation: An army can triumph (over its foes) if it is free from diminution; irremediable aversion and poverty.

Kural 770:
நிலைமக்கள் சால உடைத்தெனினும் தானை
தலைமக்கள் இல்வழி இல்.
nilaimakkaL saala udaiththeninum thaanai
thalaimakkaL ilvazhi il
English couplet:
Though men abound, all ready for the war,
No army is where no fit leaders are.
Explanation: Though an army may contain a large number of permanent soldiers, it cannot last if it has no generals.