Part II: On Wealth
Section V: Royalty
Chapter 39: The Merits of the King
Kural 381
He is lion among kings who is well endowed with these six:
army, citizens, wealth, ministers, allies and fortresses.
Kural 382
There are four attributes that cannot be absent in a king:
fearlessness, generosity, wisdom and industriousness.
Kural 383
In those who rule the land, three traits must never lapse:
vigilance, valor and virtuous learning.
Kural 384
The noble king is unswerving in virtue, restrains wrongdoing
and courageously maintains his honor.
Kural 385
He who can produce a treasury of wealth, deposit it,
preserve it and apportion it wisely--now, that is a king!
Kural 386
All peoples praise that nation whose sovereign
is always accessible and never speaks harshly.
Kural 387
Behold the king who speaks graciously, gives generously and
protects powerfully--the world considers his word its command.
Kural 388
Ruling righteously himself and safeguarding his subjects,
a monarch may be deemed divine by his people.
Kural 389
The world lives protected beneath the umbrella
of an ethical leader who can endure words bitter to the ear.
Kural 390
He is a light among rulers who is endowed with the four merits
of generosity, graciousness, justice and care for the people.