Detectives
Sirappariya Otrinkan Seyyarka Seyyin / Purappatuththaan Aakum Marai
Classical English couplet — “Reward not trusty spy in others' sight,Or all the mystery will come to light”
What it says in plain words
“Do not publicly reward someone who gathers secret information for you. That public reward can reveal what you need to keep secret.”
The classical Tamil reading
ஒற்றனிடத்தில் செய்யும் சிறப்பைப் பிறர் அறியுமாறு செய்யக்கூடாது, செய்தால் மறைபொருளைத்தானே வெளிப்படுத்தியவன் ஆவான்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
ஓர் ஒற்றரின் திறனை வியந்து பிறர் அறியச் சிறப்புச் செய்தால், ஒளிவு மறைவாக இருக்கவேண்டிய செய்தியை, வெளிப்படுத்தியதாகிவிடும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
Even praise can reveal something that needs to stay private. Public thanks may show others who gave you secret information. This can expose both the person and their hidden work. The lesson is to give thanks in private when public attention would reveal a secret.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You thank a friend privately after they warn you about a scam.
- Workplace
- A manager privately thanks a worker who reported missing money.
- Family
- You privately thank a relative who shared a sensitive family concern.
- Society
- A local council avoids publicly naming someone who secretly reported threats.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Before thanking someone publicly, consider what your thanks might reveal.
- Integrity
- Respect someone's privacy when rewarding them for sharing secret information.
- Communication
- Give private thanks when public praise could expose someone's role.
- Leadership
- Reward helpful work without drawing unwanted attention to the person.
- Governance
- Keep rewards private when they could identify people gathering secret information.
For leaders and teams
A leader should protect people while thanking them. Choose private thanks when public praise could reveal their secret work.
Something to sit with
“Who could you thank privately today, and what might public praise reveal?”