Top 20 Thirukkural, as corporate life guide
Thiru-Kural, written by poet Thiru-valluar 2100 years back, is considered one of the greatest works on ethics and morality. Its written in Tamil, one of the oldest living languages in the world. It is a treasure trove of classic Tamil wisdom, written as 1,330 short couplets (two-line poems, or aphorisms), of just seven words each, divided into three parts on virtue (aram), wealth (porul) and love (inbam).
Thiru-Kural is not just a Tamil or Indian treasure, but a world treasure on Ethics, every world citizen must be proud about. Like Analects of Confucius or Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. I also consider this book a great guide for practicing managers in corporate life. Here is my attempt to share my favorite 20 out of 1330 (just 1.5%) and how I applied them
My favorite 20 Kurals, I use in corporate life:
1. இனிய உளவாக இன்னாத கூறல் கனிஇருப்பக் காய்கவர்ந் தற்று.(Using unpleasant words when there are pleasant words, is like eating raw fruits when there are ripe ones available)
I recall all the performance reviews, where I had to give honest feedback to my employees on areas for improvement. Following this Kural, most of the time, helped both me and the concerned employee.
2. சொல்லுதல் யார்க்கும் எளிய அரியவாம் சொல்லிய வண்ணம் செயல் (Saying anything is easy. it's only the doing which is tough)
I have used this proverb to evaluate who simply talks and who let's the actions do the talking. in business world, performance beats pedigree. and action speaks louder than words. Always respect the doers, even if they fail. and ignore the talkers. talk is cheap.
3. செல்வத்துள் செல்வம் செவிச்செல்வம் -அச்செல்வம் செல்வத்துள் எல்லாம் தலை (out of all wealth, the quality of listening through your ears, is the highest wealth)
Valluar does not call listening a skill, but wealth. 2000 years back, perhaps teaching by hearing will be more prevalent than reading. all knowledge must have come via hearing. In the modern business context, a good listener, even today is respected more than a good speaker. that's why God gave us two ears and one mouth perhaps.
4. அறிவுடையார் எல்லாம் உடையார் -அறிவிலார் என்னுடைய ரேனும் இலர். (the wise are rich even if they possess nothing. the fool is poor even if he possesses everything)
in business, have we not seen managers who are very smart but start with little resources beat so many people with more resources but no brain or wisdom. the world will respect a wise man more than a rich man. but it's good to be both wise and rich 😌
5. ஒழுக்கம் விழுப்பந் தரலான் ஒழுக்கம் உயிரினும் ஓம்பப் படும். (Proper conduct leads to eminence, it should therefore be preserved more carefully than life itself)
We have seen companies (like Enron) and many once famous people fall down from pedestal very quickly due to improper conduct (lack of integrity, values, morals). The companies and people who outlast everyone is usually known for highest standards of business conduct. I'm very happy to work in such an organization (HP) and also work with colleagues whose conduct is exemplary. Poet Valluvar says, such a conduct is more important than life itself.
6. சொலல்வல்லன் சோர்விலன் அஞ்சான் அவனை, இகல்வெல்லல் யார்க்கும் அரிது. (Being eloquent, having enthusiasm and being fearless - these three qualities makes you invincible)
When I moved from auto industry to the new computer industry, back in 1995, I used this couplet to motivate myself and say, when I have these three qualities why must I fear? it worked for me.
7. நெடுநீர் மறவி மடிதுயில் நான்கும், கெடுநீரார் காமக் கலன்.(Procrastination, forgetfulness, sloth and sleep are four pleasurable vices which will sink you)
One thing, many of my friends will vouch for me, is my hardworking and energetic nature. I have never seen a successful leader having even one of these 4 negative qualities. ofcourse I abhor them.
8. கான முயலெய்த அம்பினில் யானை பிழைத்தவேல் ஏந்தல் இனிது. (Better collect the spear that missed an elephant Than the arrow that killed a rabbit)
Time and again, as a sales leader for over 100 quarters, I have used this principle to motivate my team, to set and achieve big goals (and even fail) rather than setting low goals and over achieving it (low aim is a crime).
9. குணம்நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி அவற்றுள் மிகைநாடி மிக்க கொளல்.(Weigh a man's merits and also his defects. Whichever weighs more is his nature)
No person is perfect. I used this to hire even people, who were "rejected" for other roles. Because, the merit of their strengths for that role, far outweighs the weaknesses.
10. எப்பொருள் யார்யார்வாய்க் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள் மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்ப தறிவு. (The mark of wisdom is to discern the truth from whatever source it is heard)
When making long term plans, I solicit feedback from every stake holder, however senior or junior the person may be. These different perspectives, help in getting to the ultimate truth in business opportunities.
11. இன்னாசெய் தாரை ஒறுத்தல் அவர்நாண நன்னயஞ் செய்து விடல். (Punish an evil-doer by shaming him with a good deed in return)
Early in my career, I have been guilty of not following this doctrine and suffering the consequences. Eye for an eye really made my world blind. later I realized as leaders we have a choice. Beat an insult with another insult. Or understand the frame of mind, ignore or respond with kindness in return, where possible. In the latter approach you might lose a battle but win the war.
12. யாகாவா ராயினும் நாகாக்க காவாக்கால் சோகாப்பர் சொல்லிழுக்குப் பட்டு. (Guard your tongue if nothing else; For words unguarded cause distress)
Have we not been in situations, where we regretted saying something rude or insensitive or out of context? Those words come back to haunt us later. Best is to keep quiet when angry, take a short break and gaurd your tongue. it will save you from distress later.
13. தோன்றின் புகழொடு தோன்றுக அஃதிலார் தோன்றலின் தோன்றாமை நன்று. (Be born, if you must, for fame; Or else better not to be born at all)
Here the word "born" should be interpreted as "appear". So this Kural means, if you do any job, be the best in that and gain fame for your excellence, else do not even appear for that job. in my mid career I was offered many jobs which were prestigious. I declined most, as I felt, in those jobs I would not be able to excel or give my best.
14. ஈதல் இசைபட வாழ்தல் அதுவல்லது ஊதியம் இல்லை உயிர்க்கு. (No greater income in life than to live with fame that comes out of giving)
Giving can be in many forms money, ideas, time. I was fortunate to have been mentored by icons of indian IT industry. in the last 5 years I'm passing it forward by teaching in institutes and mentoring without expecting anything in return. The joy you get, when your mentee says how much they have benefitted, is another salary by itself.
15. எண்ணித் துணிக கருமம் துணிந்தபின் எண்ணுவம் என்பது இழுக்கு. (Think well before you launch an plan. To launch and then think is disgrace)
I was involved in selection of vendors for a retail digital transformation project. we took quite a bit of time to get consensus of selection criteria and evaluate vendors with top management. however once we decided, the project was executed to perfection in a very short period of time. No looking back on the decisions we made.
16. வெள்ளத்து அனைய மலர் நீட்டம் மாந்தர்தம் உள்ளத்து அனையது உயர்வு. (Just like how water level determines the lotus stalk height, A man's stature is directly proportional to the level of his thinking)
High achievers are high thinkers. small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events and big minds discuss ideas. Every major achievement in my life was a thought, then a plan and then action.
17. பிறர்க்கின்னா முற்பகல் செய்யின் தமக்கின்னா பிற்பகல் தாமே வரும் (The pain you inflict on others in the morning, will come back at you on its own by evening)
This is law of Karma, or cause and effect. No single act of kindness (or meanness) ever goes unrewarded. Be good, do good without any expectation and it comes back to you manifold.
18. முகநக நட்பது நட்பன்று நெஞ்சத்து அகநக நட்பது நட்பு (good friendship is not about smiling faces, bit hearts that smile)
AND
19. உடுக்கை இழந்தவன் கைபோல ஆங்கே இடுக்கண் களைவதாம் நட்பு. (Swift is the hand that siezes a slipping garment, Friendship acts as swiftly to assuage a friend in distress)
When I used to manage customer Escalations on online store, these two proverbs helped me solve most issues.. treat your customer as a friend. it's not how you welcome or greet or smile when you first meet your customer. it's what you feel with your heart when a problem arises. do you care? if you care, you will solve the issue immediately.
20. பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல் நீந்துவர் நீந்தார் இறைவன் அடிசேரா தார். (The ocean of birth can be crossed easily by those surrender to the Lord)
You might ask what has God to do with business. in fact everything. your best laid plans might go to waste without divine blessing. it does not matter what religion you follow or whether you believe in God or not, most would agree there is a super natural power maintaining worldly order. After putting your hardwork, surrender to that power. the greatest accomplishments have been done by spiritual masters who are selfless, not by kings, queens, CEOs and entrepreneurs. Look closely at the school you studied, hospital you went, the charity organisation's which do selfless work. they are no less than temples, churches or mosques. all have a spiritual foundation. That's the boat we must use to cross this ocean of this life.
Hope you enjoyed these 20 kurals. it's about 1.5% of 1330 kurals. for knowing more (98.5%) There are many good translations of this eternal book. My favorite version is by M Rajaram with a foreward by our Ex President APJ Abdul Kalam available at Amazon at https://amzn.eu/d/0o7vxqn
or refer to the website below, which has complete 1330 verses in most major languages Hindi Chinese French etc
https://www.thirukkural.net/ta/index.html
Please leave your comments after reading all 20 kurals, as a mark of respect to the great poet and mention if any proverb touched your heart. Stay blessed.
Nash Narasimhan Tupil
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