The Majesty of a King
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
añcāmai yīkaiyaṟi vūkka minnāṉku / meñcāmai vēntaṟ kiyalpu
Unfailing courage, generosity, wisdom, and purposeful energy—these four are the proper qualities of a ruler.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Courage, a liberal hand, wisdom, and energy: these four / Are qualities a king adorn for evermore.”
“Four qualities should never be wanting in the prince, namely, courage, liberality, wisdom, and energy.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
வேந்தற்கு இயல்பு- அரசனுக்கு இயல்பாவது; அஞ்சாமை ஈகை அறிவு ஊக்கம் இந்நான்கும் எஞ்சாமை- திண்மையும் கொடையும் அறிவும் ஊக்கமும் என்னும் இந்நான்கு குணமும் இடைவிடாது நிற்றல் என்றவாறு.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says firmness, giving, knowledge, and energetic initiative must remain continuously in a king. Applied today, these are accountable civic qualities constrained by evidence, rights, budgets, and law; courage is not aggression, generosity is not patronage, and energy is not unchecked executive power.