# LII: Testing and Employment of Men explained — The Kural

> Chapter companion for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar.

## What happens

This chapter provides guidance on selecting and employing men for service, emphasizing the importance of choosing those who discern good from evil, possess kindness, intelligence, and freedom from greed, and are expert and patient. It warns against relying solely on personal affection and stresses the need for ongoing oversight to ensure good governance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Statecraft and Governance

The chapter offers practical advice on testing, selecting, and supervising officers to ensure effective administration.

### Social Harmony and Ethics

Emphasizes choosing men of virtue and kindness, and warns against favoritism, promoting ethical governance.

## Character check-ins

### Thiruvalluvar

Author of the Kural verses on testing and employing men.

### the Kural

The text containing the maxims on statecraft and employment.

### Fortune

Mentioned as departing from the prince who resents a skilled servant's friendly advances.

## Key lines

> Behold the man that seeth the good and seeth the evil also and chooseth only that which is good: employ thou him in thy service.

Hire the person who can distinguish right from wrong and consistently chooses what is right.

_Advocates for moral discernment as a key qualification for service._

> Many are the men that satisfy every test and yet alter in the actual performance of duty.

Many people pass all tests but fail when actually doing the job.

_Highlights the gap between testing and real-world performance._

> Work should be entrusted to men in consideration of their expert knowledge and capacity for patient exertion, and not of their love towards thy person.

Assign tasks based on skill and diligence, not personal loyalty.

_Emphasizes merit over personal relationships in appointments._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lii-testing-and-employment-of-men
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters