Testing and Trusting People
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aṟṟārait tēṟuta lōmpuka maṟṟavar / paṟṟilar nāṇār paḻi.
“Beware of trusting men who have no kith of kin; / No bonds restrain such men, no shame deters from sin.”
“Beware of trusting men that have no kindred: for their hearts will be without attachment and they will be callous to shame.”
The classical claim warns against trusting a person without kin or social attachment, on the assumption that such a person will not fear blame.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அற்றாரைத் தேறுதல் ஓம்புக= சுற்றம் இல்லாரைத் தெளிதலை ஒழிக; அவர் மற்றுப் பற்று இலர் = அவர் உலகத்தோடு தொடர்பிலர்; பழி நாணார்= ஆகலாற் பழிக்கு அஞ்சார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Avoid entrusting vital responsibilities to those who have no family or ties of affection; lacking bonds with society, they will feel no shame in committing shameful deeds.