Thirukkural Chapter 71 - The Knowledge of Indications


Couplet 701 
Who knows the sign, and reads unuttered thought, the gem is he,
Of earth round traversed by the changeless sea
Explanation
The minister who by looking (at the king) understands his mind without being told (of it), will be a perpetual ornament to the world which is surrounded by a never-drying sea

Couplet 702 
Undoubting, who the minds of men can scan,
As deity regard that gifted man
Explanation
He is to be esteemed a god who is able to ascertain without a doubt what is within (one's mind)

Couplet 703 
Who by the sign the signs interprets plain,
Give any member up his aid to gain
Explanation
The king should ever give whatever (is asked) of his belongings and secure him who, by the indications (of his own mind) is able to read those of another

Couplet 704 
Who reads what's shown by signs, though words unspoken be,
In form may seem as other men, in function nobler far is he
Explanation
Those who understand one's thoughts without being informed (thereof) and those who do not, may (indeed) resemble one another bodily; still are they different (mentally)

Couplet 705 
By sign who knows not sings to comprehend, what gain,
'Mid all his members, from his eyes does he obtain
Explanation
Of what use are the eyes amongst one's members, if they cannot by their own indications dive those of another ?

Couplet 706 
As forms around in crystal mirrored clear we find,
The face will show what's throbbing in the mind
Explanation
As the mirror reflects what is near so does the face show what is uppermost in the mind

Couplet 707 
Than speaking countenance hath aught more prescient skill?
Rejoice or burn with rage, 'tis the first herald still
Explanation
Is there anything so full of knowledge as the face ? (No) it precedes the mind, whether (the latter is) pleased or vexed

Couplet 708 
To see the face is quite enough, in presence brought,
When men can look within and know the lurking thought
Explanation
If the king gets those who by looking into his mind can understand (and remove) what has occurred (to him) it is enough that he stand looking at their face

Couplet 709 
The eye speaks out the hate or friendly soul of man;
To those who know the eye's swift varying moods to scan
Explanation
If a king gets ministers who can read the movements of the eye, the eyes (of foreign kings) will (themselves) reveal (to him) their hatred or friendship

Couplet 710 
The men of keen discerning soul no other test apply
(When you their secret ask) than man's revealing eye
Explanation
The measuring-rod of those (ministers) who say "we are acute" will on inquiry be found to be their (own) eyes and nothing else