Thirukkural-On Wise Friendship-Kural-446

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A king, who is guided by worthy and true friends,
Need have no fear of harm from his enemies.

K V Jaganathan in his Research edition of Thirukkural has cited two relevant parallels.

“Thaol vali thaangina raayinum"

Amaichar solvazi aatrudhal aatralae" (Kamba “ Mandharai, 15)

The 'Sanron" or the learned and virtuous gentleman of Valluvar"s conception, as we are aware, is distinct from the Philosopher King of Plato and the Noble Prince of Confucius. The latter two ideas are aristocratic and selective, but Valluvar"s Sanron is a fully democratic concept. Birth and back-ground have no place in determining a Sanron; only true learning and righteous conduct have a place in the making of him.

A wise king, according to Thiruvalluvar, will surround himself with such wise and virtuous men, and when he does so, no enemy can do any harm to him at all.

Obviously, it is also important that the king while being receptive to the advice of the wise, virtuous and mature men, will also be discriminating and discerning in arriving at the truth, and making his own decisions, in the final analysis, which obviously is the quality of a good Manager and more important of a good King.