மக்கள் அஞ்சும்படி தண்டனை தரும் ஆட்சி, நீதி நூல்களைக் கல்லாதவரின் துணையுடன் நிற்கும் நாட்டிற்கு அக்கூட்டத்தாரைவிடப் பெரிய சுமை வேறு இல்லை.

கொடுங்கோல் அரசு படிக்காதவர்களைத் தனக்கு பக்கபலமாக்கிக் கொள்ளும் அதைப்போல பூமிக்குப் பாரம் வேறு எதுவுமில்லை

கடுங்கோலாகிய ஆட்சிமுறை கல்லாதவரைத் தனக்கு அரணாகச் சேர்த்துக் கொள்ளும், அது தவிர நிலத்திற்கு சுமை வேறு இல்லை.

The earth bears up no greater burden than ignorant men whom a cruel sceptre attaches to itself (as the ministers of its evil deeds)

Kural 570 delves into the negative impact of an oppressive regime that operates with the support of ignorant individuals. It suggests that there is no greater burden to the earth than a harsh and cruel rulership which employs uneducated or ignorant men to carry out its misdeeds. In this verse, Thiruvalluvar uses the metaphor of a 'cruel sceptre' to refer to an oppressive regime or a tyrannical ruler. The 'ignorant men' whom this sceptre attaches to itself are those who, due to their lack of knowledge or wisdom, become the instruments of tyranny, aiding and abetting the oppressive system in its unfair practices. The poet states that the weight of such a system is the heaviest burden that the earth has to bear. This statement underscores the grave harm that such a setup can cause to societies and the world at large. It is not just the physical burden, but also the moral and ethical toll that such a system takes on the earth and its inhabitants. The verse is a strong indictment of autocratic leadership and emphasizes the importance of enlightened and moral governance. It also highlights the significance of education and wisdom in preventing one from becoming a tool in the hands of oppressive powers.