Testing and Trusting People
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perumaikku mēṉaic ciṟumaikkun tattaṅ / karumamē kaṭṭaḷaik kal.
“Of greatness and of meanness too, / The deeds of each are touchstone true.”
“Dost thou want to find out whether a man is noble or little-minded? Know that conduct is the touchstone of character.”
A person's own deeds are the true touchstone of greatness or littleness of character.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
பெருமைக்கும் ஏனைச் சிறுமைக்கும் கட்டளைக்கல்= பிறப்பு, குணம், அறிவு என்பனவற்றான் மக்கள் எய்தும் பெருமைக்கும் மற்றைச் சிறுமைக்கும் உரைகல்லாவது; தத்தம் கருமமே= தாம்தாம் செய்யும் கருமமே, பிறிதில்லை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The true touchstone that tests and reveals a person's greatness or pettiness is the nature of their own actions.