Page:The Kural or The Maxims Of Tiruvalluvar.pdf/47

 subtle counsel to give on the conduct of the State; 'Poor Richard' has no wiser saw for the raising up of clever business men; and Kâlidâsa or Shakespeare have no deeper knowledge of the lovers' heart and its varied moods; than this pariah weaver of Mylapore! Such is the universality of mind of this grand seer who was born in the Tamil country but who belongs to all mankind.

When one has read his book through, the one impression that abides in the mind is that virtue and honour and manliness triumph over everything, and that vice and degradation are to be eschewed even should they bring pleasure and profit. This is the master-thought that runs through the whole book "even as the thread that is seen through the crystal bead." Certain verses in the Second Part, like 830 for example, may look as if they would take away a little from this high praise. But we must understand that the author makes a clear distinction between private morality and State necessity. In private life, for instance, forgiveness is one of the greatest virtues and chapter 16 sings its praises abundantly. But, for the king as the Rh