Thirukkural Chapter 51 - Selection and Confidence

Couplet 501 
How treats he virtue, wealth and pleasure? How, when life's at stake,
Comports himself? This four-fold test of man will full assurance make
Explanation
Let (a minister) be chosen, after he has been tried by means of these four things, viz,-his virtue, (love of) money, (love of) sexual pleasure, and tear of (losing) life

Couplet 502 
Of noble race, of faultless worth, of generous pride
That shrinks from shame or stain; in him may king confide
Explanation
(The king's) choice should (fall) on him, who is of good family, who is free from faults, and who has the modesty which fears the wounds (of sin)

Couplet 503 
Though deeply learned, unflecked by fault, 'tis rare to see,
When closely scanned, a man from all unwisdom free
Explanation
When even men, who have studied the most difficult works, and who are free from faults, are (carefully) examined, it is a rare thing to find them without ignorance

Couplet 504 
Weigh well the good of each, his failings closely scan,
As these or those prevail, so estimate the man
Explanation
Let (a king) consider (a man's) good qualities, as well as his faults, and then judge (of his character) by that which prevails

Couplet 505 
Of greatness and of meanness too,
The deeds of each are touchstone true
Explanation
A man's deeds are the touchstone of his greatness and littleness

Couplet 506 
Beware of trusting men who have no kith of kin;
No bonds restrain such men, no shame deters from sin
Explanation
Let (a king) avoid choosing men who have no relations; such men have no attachment, and thereforehave no fear of crime

Couplet 507 
By fond affection led who trusts in men of unwise soul,
Yields all his being up to folly's blind control
Explanation
Yields all his being up to folly's blind control

Couplet 508 
Who trusts an untried stranger, brings disgrace,
Remediless, on all his race
Explanation
Sorrow that will not leave even his posterity will come upon him chooses a stranger whose character he has not known

Couplet 509 
Trust no man whom you have not fully tried,
When tested, in his prudence proved confide
Explanation
Let (a king) choose no one without previous consideration; after he has made his choice, let him unhesitatingly select for each such duties as are appropriate

Couplet 510 
Trust where you have not tried, doubt of a friend to feel,
Once trusted, wounds inflict that nought can heal
Explanation
To make choice of one who has not been examined, and to entertain doubts respecting one who has been chosen, will produce irremediable sorrow