Testing and Trusting People
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tēṟaṟka yāraiyun tērātu tērntapiṉ / ṟēṟuka tēṟum poruḷ.
“Trust no man whom you have not fully tried, / When tested, in his prudence proved confide.”
“Trust not a man without trying him: and after trying your men, give each of them the work for which he is fit.”
Trust no one without examination; once examined, place confidence in the particular matter that has become clear.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
யாரையும் தேராது தேறற்க= யாவரையும் ஆராயாது தெளியாது ஒழிக; தேர்ந்தபின் தேறும் பொருள் தேறுக= ஆராய்ந்தபின் தெளியும் பொருட்களை ஐயுறாது ஒழிக.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Never trust anyone without thorough examination; once a person's fitness is proven through testing, place unhesitating confidence in the duties assigned to them.