Seeking the Support of the Wise
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aṟaṉaṟintu mūtta vaṟivuṭaiyār kēṇmai / tiṟaṉaṟintu tērntu koḷal
“As friends the men who virtue know, and riper wisdom share, / Their worth weighed well, the king should choose with care.”
“Esteem thou the men that have grown old in righteousness, and acquire their friendship.”
Examine and choose the friendship of elders in wisdom who understand virtue, knowing both their worth and how to sustain that bond.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறன் அறிந்து மூத்த அறிவுடையார் கேண்மை= அறத்தினது நுண்மையை அறிந்து தன்னின் மூத்த அறிவுடையாரது கேண்மையை; தேர்ந்து திறன் அறிந்து கொளல்= அரசன் அதனது அருமையை ஓர்ந்து, கொள்ளும் திறமறிந்து கொள்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
A ruler should carefully evaluate the rare worth of wise elders who are mature in virtue and knowledge, and discern the proper way to secure and sustain their friendship.