The Possession of Decorum
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oḻukkattiṉ olkār uravōr iḻukkattiṉ / ētam paṭupākku aṟintu
“The strong of soul no jot abate of 'strict decorum's' laws, / Knowing that 'due decorum's' breach foulest disgrace will cause.”
“The firm-minded swerve not from virtuous conduct: for they know the evils brought on by such swerving.”
The strong-minded never slacken their conduct, because they know the disgrace that a lapse brings.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஒழுக்கத்தின் ஒல்கார் உரவோர் = செய்தற்கு அருமை நோக்கி ஒழுக்கத்தில் சுருங்கார் மனவலி உடையார்; இழுக்கத்தின் ஏதம் படுபாக்கு அறிந்து = அவ்விழுக்கத்தால் தமக்கு இழிகுலமாகிய குற்றம் உண்டாம் ஆற்றை அறிந்து.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The strong-minded never let their conduct slacken, however hard it is to keep, because they clearly see the disgrace that a single lapse would bring on them. Their strength shows precisely in not bending.