Purity of Action
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ōotal vēṇṭu moḷimāḻkuñ ceyviṉai / yāatu meṉṉu mavar.
“Who tell themselves that nobler things shall yet be won / All deeds that dim the light of glory must they shun.”
“Those that desire to rise in the world, let them abjure all action that can tarnish their glory.”
Those who intend to rise higher must shun every deed that dims their moral lustre.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஆஅதும் என்னுமவர்= மேலாகக் கடவேம் என்று கருதுவார்; ஒளி மாழ்கும் வினை செய் ஓஒதல் வேண்டும்= தம் ஒளி கெடுதற்குக் காரணமாய வினையைச் செய்தலைத் தவிர்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Those who aspire to rise to noble greatness must strictly renounce any action that dims the radiance of their honor.