The Correction of Faults
Thankutram Neekkip Pirarkutrang Kaankirpin / Enkutra Maakum Iraikku?
Classical English couplet — “Faultless the king who first his own faults cures, and thenPermits himself to scan faults of other men”
What it says in plain words
“A leader should first find and correct their own faults. What fault remains when they do this before pointing out others’ faults?”
The classical Tamil reading
முன்னே தன் குற்றத்தைக் கண்டு நீக்கி பிறகு பிறருடையக் குற்றத்தை ஆராயவல்லவனானால், தலைவனுக்கு என்ன குற்றமாகும்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
முதலில் தனக்குள்ள குறையை நீக்கிக் கொண்டு அதன் பின்னர் பிறர் குறையைக் கண்டு சொல்லும் தலைவனுக்கு என்ன குறை நேரும்?
The ethical and philosophical heart
It is easy to notice mistakes other people make. We may overlook the same mistakes in our own actions. The lesson is to correct yourself before correcting others. This makes guidance fairer at home, at work, and in public life.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You stop interrupting friends before asking them to let you finish.
- Workplace
- A manager starts arriving on time before correcting staff for lateness.
- Family
- A parent stops shouting before asking children to speak calmly.
- Society
- A community organizer stops littering before asking neighbors to keep streets clean.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Check and correct your own mistakes before judging someone else’s actions.
- Integrity
- Follow the same rules you ask others to follow.
- Communication
- Address your own hurtful words before pointing out someone else’s.
- Leadership
- Change the habits in yourself that you want others to change.
- Governance
- Public officials should correct their own failures before demanding better conduct from others.
For leaders and teams
Make your own actions the starting point when correcting mistakes. Fix your faults before asking others to fix theirs.
Something to sit with
“What habit could you change today that you often criticize in others?”