The Excellence of an Army
Sirumaiyum Sellaath Thuniyum Varumaiyum / Illaayin Vellum Patai
Classical English couplet — “Where weakness, clinging fear and povertyAre not, the host will gain the victory”
What it says in plain words
“An army can win when its numbers do not shrink, its soldiers hold no lasting anger toward their leader, and it has enough supplies.”
The classical Tamil reading
தன் அளவு சிறிதாகத் தேய்தலும், தலைவரிடம் நீங்காத வெறுப்பும் வறுமையும் இல்லாதிருக்குமானால் அத்தகைய படை வெற்றி பெறும்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
சிறுத்துவிடாமலும், தலைவனை வெறுத்து விடாமலும், பயன்படாத நிலை இல்லாமலும் உள்ள படைதான் வெற்றி பெற முடியும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
An army needs enough people and supplies to succeed. Lasting anger toward its leader can also weaken its strength. At work or home, shared efforts need people, trust, and basic support. Missing any of these can make a difficult task harder.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- Before a group trip, check that enough friends can help and everyone can afford the costs.
- Workplace
- A manager fills empty roles, addresses lasting anger, and provides needed tools.
- Family
- Before moving home, a family arranges enough help, discusses hurt feelings, and sets aside money.
- Society
- A community kitchen keeps enough volunteers, addresses complaints about its leader, and maintains food supplies.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Before starting a task, check your group's numbers, relationships, and supplies.
- Integrity
- Be honest about missing staff, unresolved anger, and shortages.
- Communication
- Listen carefully when people explain why they remain angry with their leader.
- Leadership
- Keep enough people involved and give them the support they need.
- Governance
- Keep public teams properly staffed, address complaints about leaders, and fund basic needs.
For leaders and teams
Give your group enough people, trust, and supplies. Address lasting anger toward you rather than letting it grow.
Something to sit with
“What does a group you belong to need most today: more people, better relationships, or basic supplies?”