The Right Sceptre
Orndhukan Notaadhu Iraipurindhu Yaarmaattum / Therndhusey Vaqdhe Murai
Classical English couplet — “Search out, to no one favour show; with heart that justice lovesConsult, then act; this is the rule that right approves”
What it says in plain words
“Find out what went wrong without taking anyone’s side. Then carefully decide what action is fair, whoever is involved.”
The classical Tamil reading
யாரிடத்திலும் (குற்றம் இன்னதென்று) ஆராய்ந்து, கண்ணோட்டம் செய்யாமல் நடுவுநிலைமைப் பொருந்தி (செய்யத்தக்கதை) ஆராய்ந்து செய்வதே நீதிமுறையாகும்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
குற்றம் இன்னதென்று ஆராய்ந்து எந்தப் பக்கமும் சாயாமல் நடுவுநிலைமை தவறாமல் வழங்கப்படுவதே நீதியாகும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
A complaint alone does not show who did something wrong. Fair decisions start when we check facts without taking sides. Friendship or dislike should not change how we judge someone. Any action should follow careful thought about what happened.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- Check what happened before blaming a friend for damaging your bike.
- Workplace
- Review a complaint fairly, even when it concerns your favorite coworker.
- Family
- Hear each child’s account before deciding what to do about a broken window.
- Society
- A local committee checks a complaint without favoring a well-known neighbor.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Find out what happened before deciding what action is fair.
- Integrity
- Do not excuse wrongdoing just because a friend is involved.
- Communication
- Ask questions that help you understand, rather than support one side.
- Leadership
- Check complaints about every team member with the same care.
- Governance
- Officials should examine wrongdoing carefully and choose fair action without favoring anyone.
For leaders and teams
When people bring you a complaint, put facts before favorites. Choose a fair response after carefully checking what happened.
Something to sit with
“How could you set aside personal feelings when judging a disagreement today?”