Leader, this is for you
Leading is not about being big or powerful. It is about doing good for the people who trusted you with their vote. Read these lessons slowly. They were true a thousand years ago, and they are still true today.
Lesson 1
Whatever a great person does, common people follow. Whatever standard they set, the world pursues.
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः। स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥
People watch their leaders and do the same. If you are honest and calm, people learn to be honest and calm. If you cut corners, they learn to cut corners too. So live the way you want your people to live.
Lesson 2
In the happiness of his people lies the ruler's happiness; in their welfare, his welfare. He should treat as good not what pleases him, but what pleases his people.
A leader is not happy when only he is happy. A leader is happy when the people are happy. Before every decision, ask one simple thing: does this make ordinary people's lives better? If it only helps you, drop it.
Lesson 3
It is not the spear but the just sceptre that gives a ruler victory, and only if it never bends.
வேலன்று வென்றி தருவது மன்னவன் கோலதூஉங் கோடா தெனின்.
A leader wins by being fair, not by being harsh or strong. Treat everyone the same, rich or poor, those who voted for you and those who did not. One unfair act can break the trust you built over many years.
Lesson 4
You have a right to your work, but never to its rewards. Do not act only for the results, and do not sit idle either.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
Do your duty because it is right, not for money, fame or the next post. Do the work fully and honestly, and let the results come on their own.
Lesson 5
Control of the senses comes from giving up greed, anger, pride and other weaknesses. Rulers who did not do this were destroyed along with their kingdoms.
Before you can lead others, you must lead yourself. A leader who cannot control his anger, greed or pride will not last. Stay humble and calm, especially when you have power.
Lesson 6
Recall the face of the poorest and weakest person you have seen, and ask if the step you plan will be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Then your doubt will melt away.
When a choice is hard, do not weigh it by the richest or loudest person in the room. Think of the poorest person you know, and ask: will this help that person? If yes, you are on the right path.
Lesson 7
All people are my children. What I want for my own children, their welfare and happiness, I want for all people too.
A leader belongs to everyone, not only to his own group, religion or supporters. Care for people of every faith, language and region as if they were your own family.
One day your term ends and someone else takes the chair. What stays behind is the good you did and the lives you changed. Lead so that, even after you leave, people say: they were good for us.
Every quote here is from a real, named and published source, and links to it. Where the words come from a holy book, we have kept the meaning true to the well-known translations.