Impartiality
Nandre Tharinum Natuvikandhaam Aakkaththai / Andre Yozhiya Vital
Classical English couplet — “Though only good it seem to give, yet gainBy wrong acquired, not e'en one day retain”
What it says in plain words
“Give up any gain that comes from unfair treatment right away. Do this even if it seems to bring only good.”
The classical Tamil reading
தீமை பயக்காமல் நன்மையே தருவதானாலும் நடுவு நிலைமை தவறி உண்டாகும் ஆக்கத்தை அப்போதே கைவிட வேண்டும்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
நடுவுநிலை தவறுவதால் ஏற்படக்கூடிய பயன் நன்மையையே தரக் கூடியதாக இருந்தாலும், அந்தப் பயனைக் கைவிட்டு நடுவுநிலையைத்தான் கடைப்பிடிக்க வேண்டும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
An unfair choice may bring money, comfort, or a useful chance. It may even seem to cause no harm to anyone. Still, the couplet asks us to choose fairness over gain. What we receive does not make the unfair choice right.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You return extra prize money after learning the judge unfairly favored you.
- Workplace
- You refuse a bonus based on taking credit for someone else's work.
- Family
- You give back an extra share of family money that unfairly reduced your sister's share.
- Society
- A club returns funding after learning officials unfairly skipped other groups to award it.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Check whether a useful offer depends on treating someone unfairly.
- Integrity
- Give up an unfair gain as soon as you recognize it.
- Communication
- Explain that a good result does not excuse unfair treatment.
- Leadership
- Refuse special favors that help your team by unfairly excluding others.
- Governance
- Reject deals that bring public benefits by unfairly favoring one business.
For leaders and teams
Show those you lead how to put fairness before rewards. Give up unfair advantages, even when your whole group could benefit.
Something to sit with
“What benefit in your life deserves a closer look at how fairly it was gained?”