The Councillor of State
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aṟikoṉṟu aṟiyāṉ eṉiṉum uṟuti / yuḻaiyiruntāṉ kūṟal kaṭaṉ
“'Tis duty of the man in place aloud to say / The very truth, though unwise king may cast his words away.”
“The prince may be a fool and may thwart him at every step: but the duty of the Councillor is always to point to him what is just and proper.”
Even when the ruler destroys offered counsel and remains ignorant, the counsellor nearby still owes him beneficial truth.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறி கொன்று அறியான் எனினும்= அறிந்து சொல்லியாரது அறிவையும் அழித்து, அரசன் தானும் அறியானே ஆயினும்; உறுதி கூறல் உழையிருந்தான் கடன்= அக்குற்றம் நோக்கி யொழியாது அவனுக்கு உறுதியாயின கூறுதல் அமைச்சனுக்கு முறைமை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Even if the leader disregards wise advice and remains stubborn in ignorance, it is the sacred duty of the counselor at his side to speak what ensures his welfare.