Thirukkural-On Wealth-Avoidance Of Faults-Kural-441

Thiranarindhu thaerndhu kolal

The king should carefully and selectively opt for the friendship

Of ethically oriented and wise counselors.

A good king will choose as his friends and advisers ethically oriented wise men of ripe scholarship, who have 'grown old in righteousness" for says the Bible;

'Wisdom flows from the mouth of the Righteous"

(Proverbs: 10,31)

all great kings" courts had a galaxy of such wise men in the past.

Only the Ruler will base his government on righteous principles and shine steadfast like the polestar among the other stars, as envisaged by King Fu Tse.

(Confucius).

Valluvar has prescribed for the king"s choice of friendship. 'Aranarintu mutta arivudaiyaar'

The wise men of learning fit to be the king"s friends are described as ethically oriented aranarindhu and mature 'mootha' men of wisdom.

The Poet in many places distinguishes between the two words 'aram' (the state of Dharma or of absolute good) and 'aran' (The practice of Ethics).

In Arathupal Valluvar emphasises (aram) as a concept, but in Porutpal, the practice of it as (aran) is what is projected.

Among the commentators, Kalingar alone draws particular attention to the discerning of wise counselors, who have proven knowledge of dharma and adequate maturity.

In this context, it is relevant to recall Valluvar"s own later Kural dealing with Delegation, which effectively explains this process of choosing capable wise men, who can be trusted.