Learning by Listening
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iḻukka luṭaiyuḻi yūṟṟukkō laṟṟē / yoḻukka muṭaiyārvāyc col
“Like staff in hand of him in slippery ground who strays / Are words from mouth of those who walk in righteous ways.”
“The counsel of the righteous is like unto a strong staff: for it keepeth those that listen to it from slipping.”
The words spoken by people of ethical conduct are like a staff that supports a traveller wherever the ground is slippery.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இழுக்கல் உடையுழி ஊற்றுக்கோல் அற்றே= வழுக்குதலையுடைய சேற்றுநிலத்து இயங்குவார்க்கு ஊன்றுகோல் போல் உதவும்; ஒழுக்கம் உடையார் வாய்ச்சொல்= காவற் சாகாடு உகைப்பார்க்கு ஒழுக்கமுடையார் வாயிற்சொற்கள்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The wise counsel spoken by people of virtuous conduct is like a dependable walking staff that prevents a traveler from slipping upon muddy and treacherous ground.