Avoiding Fear-Inspiring Rule
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kaṭumoḻiyuṅ kaiyikanta taṇṭamum vēnta / ṉaṭumuraṇ ṭēykku maram.
“Harsh words and punishments severe beyond the right, / Are file that wears away the monarch's conquering might.”
“Words that are harsh and punishments that are excessive are the files that file away the iron of power.”
Harsh speech and punishment exceeding the offence are a file that wears away the ruler's iron strength for conquering enemies.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கடு மொழியும் கை இகந்த தண்டமும்= கடிய சொல்லும் குற்றத்தின் மிக்க தண்டமும்; வேந்தன் அடு முரண் தேய்க்கும் அரம்= அரசனது பகை வெல்லுதற்கு ஏற்ற மாறுபாடாகிய இரும்பினைத் தேய்க்கும் அரமாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Abusive speech and disproportionately excessive punishments are the iron file that wears down and destroys a ruler's conquering military strength.