Baseness
Thevar Anaiyar Kayavar Avarundhaam / Mevana Seydhozhuka Laan
Classical English couplet — “The base are as the Gods; they tooDo ever what they list to do”
What it says in plain words
“People who behave badly do whatever they feel like doing. The verse jokingly compares them to gods in stories, who do as they please.”
The classical Tamil reading
கயவரும் தேவரைப் போல் தான் விரும்புகின்றவைகளைச் செய்து மனம் போன போக்கில் நடத்தலால், கயவர் தேவரைப் போன்றவர்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
புராணங்களில் வரும் தேவர்களைப் போல் மனம் விரும்பியதையெல்லாம் செய்யக்கூடியவர்கள் கயவர்கள் என்பதால், இருவரையும் சமமாகக் கருதலாம்
The ethical and philosophical heart
The comparison with gods is a joke, not praise. It points to people who treat every wish as permission. At home or work, this can mean ignoring others. The warning is simple: wanting something does not make it right.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You want to skip a queue, but you wait your turn.
- Workplace
- You ask before taking a coworker's supplies, even when you need them.
- Family
- You check with others before spending money the family shares.
- Society
- You keep music quiet at night, though you want it louder.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Ask whether your choice is right, not just whether you want it.
- Integrity
- Keep your promises even when you feel like doing something else.
- Communication
- Let others speak instead of saying whatever comes to mind.
- Leadership
- Do not treat your position as permission to do whatever you like.
- Governance
- Public officials should follow rules rather than their personal wishes.
For leaders and teams
Leading others does not mean doing whatever you like. Consider how your choices affect people who depend on you.
Something to sit with
“Where today could you pause before acting on something you want?”