தீயன கண்டபோது கடிந்து சொல்லும் துறைப் பெரியவரைத் துணையாகக் கொள்ளாத பாதுகாப்பு அற்ற அரசு, அதைக் கெடுப்பார் இல்லாமலேயே தானாகவே கெடும்.

குறையை உணர்த்துவோர் இல்லாத அரசு தானாகவே கெடும்

கடிந்து அறிவுரைக் கூறும் பெரியாரின் துணை இல்லாதக் காவலற்ற அரசன், தன்னைக் கெடுக்ககும் பகைவர் எவரும் இல்லாவிட்டாலும் கெடுவான்.

The king, who is without the guard of men who can rebuke him, will perish, even though there be no one to destroy him

Kural 448 emphasizes the importance of having wise counselors for a ruler or a king. In this verse, Valluvar points out that a king who lacks advisors capable of pointing out his mistakes and shortcomings will eventually meet his downfall, even if there are no external threats or enemies. The verse underscores the significance of criticism and correction in leadership. A leader without the provision of constructive criticism is like a ship without a compass, drifting aimlessly and prone to disaster. Even if there are no external forces to cause harm, the absence of internal checks and balances can lead to self-destruction. The mention of 'rebuke' in the verse suggests the necessity of having advisors who are fearless and honest, unafraid to point out the king's errors. This is a call for transparency, openness, and accountability in governance, which are cornerstones of good leadership. It warns that leaders who surround themselves with yes-men, who always agree and never criticize, are setting themselves up for failure. Overall, this verse from the Thirukkural teaches us that wise counsel is not only beneficial but also essential for a leader's survival and success. A leader must welcome criticism, learn from it, and use it as a tool for self-improvement and better governance.