Detectives
Maraindhavai Ketkavar Raaki Arindhavai / Aiyappaatu Illadhe Otru
Classical English couplet — “A spy must search each hidden matter out,And full report must render, free from doubt”
What it says in plain words
“A good spy can uncover hidden information by asking people who know. They make sure what they learn is true.”
The classical Tamil reading
மறைந்த செய்திகளையும் கேட்டறிய வல்லவனாய் அறிந்த செய்திகளை ஐயப்படாமல் துணிய வல்லவனாய் உள்ளவனே ஒற்றன் ஆவான்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
மற்றவர்கள் மறைவாகக் கூடிச்செய்யும் காரியங்களை, அவர்களுடன் இருப்பவர் வாயிலாகக் கேட்டறிந்து அவற்றின் உண்மையைத் தெளிவாகத் தெரிந்து கொள்வதே உளவறியும் திறனாகும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
Some important facts are known only to people directly involved. Learning from them can help us understand what happened. But hearing a report is not enough to prove it true. The key is to find out and make sure before trusting the information.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- Before paying a surprise bill, ask the provider what each charge covers.
- Workplace
- Ask those handling a delayed order what happened, then check the records.
- Family
- Before blaming anyone for a broken window, ask those who were there and check what happened.
- Society
- Residents ask repair workers about an unfinished road and check the reported progress.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Find the missing facts and check them before choosing what to do.
- Integrity
- Do not present uncertain information as something you know is true.
- Communication
- Ask people who know what happened, and check that you understood them correctly.
- Leadership
- Hear from people close to a problem and check their reports.
- Governance
- Check reports about public services with people directly involved and available records.
For leaders and teams
Good leaders seek facts and check them before taking action. Ask people close to the problem rather than relying on guesses.
Something to sit with
“What information could you check today to better understand a situation troubling you?”