The Correction of Faults
Thinaiththunaiyaang Kutram Varinum Panaiththunaiyaak / Kolvar Pazhinaanu Vaar
Classical English couplet — “Though small as millet-seed the fault men deem;As palm tree vast to those who fear disgrace 'twill seem”
What it says in plain words
“People who care about avoiding wrongdoing take even tiny faults seriously. They treat small faults as big ones and guard against them.”
The classical Tamil reading
பழி நாணுகின்ற பெருமக்கள் தினையளவாகிய சிறு குற்றம் நேர்ந்தாலும் அதை பனையளவாகக் கருதிக் (குற்றம் செய்யாமல்) காத்துக் கொள்வர்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
பழிக்கு நாணுகின்றவர்கள், தினையளவு குற்றத்தையும் பனையளவாகக் கருதி, அதைச் செய்யாமல், தங்களைக் காத்துக் கொள்வார்கள்
The ethical and philosophical heart
A small fault can seem too minor to worry about. This couplet asks us to take small faults seriously. It describes people who feel ashamed of doing wrong. They do not use a fault's small size as an excuse. This care helps them avoid wrongdoing in daily life.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You return a little extra change instead of keeping it.
- Workplace
- You correct a small error in your report rather than ignore it.
- Family
- You admit breaking a cup instead of blaming someone else.
- Society
- You avoid dropping even a small wrapper on the street.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Before choosing, notice any small wrong you might be excusing.
- Integrity
- Admit a small mistake without saying it does not matter.
- Communication
- Correct a small false detail rather than let it stand.
- Leadership
- Take a small fault in your own actions seriously.
- Governance
- Correct even a small misuse of public money instead of dismissing it.
For leaders and teams
Show others that small faults deserve care, including your own. Do not excuse a wrong just because it seems minor.
Something to sit with
“What small fault in your daily life could you take more seriously today?”