The Possession of Self-control
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seṟiviṟintu sīrmai payakkum aṟiviṟintu / āṟṟiṉ aṭaṅkap peṟiṉ
“If versed in wisdom's lore by virtue's law you self restrain, / Your self-repression known will yield you glory's gain.”
“Behold the man who controlleth his passions consciously and by the right way: wisdom and every other blessing will come unto him.”
Restraint practised knowingly, by the right path, is recognised by the good and brings lasting honour.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறிவு அறிந்து ஆற்றின் அடங்கப் பெறின் = அடங்குதலே நமக்கு அறிவு ஆவது என்று அறிந்து நெறியானே ஒருவன் அடங்கப் பெறின்; செறிவு அறிந்து சீர்மை பயக்கும் = அவ்வடக்கம் நல்லோரான் அறியப்பட்டு அவனுக்கு விழுப்பத்தைக் கொடுக்கும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
When a person restrains himself knowingly — understanding that restraint itself is true wisdom — and keeps to it by the right path, the good recognise that firmness, and it brings him lasting honour.