Comporting Oneself Before Princes
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pōṟṟi ṉariyavai pōṟṟal kaṭuttapiṉ / ṟēṟṟutal yārkku maritu.
“Who would walk warily, let him of greater faults beware; / To clear suspicions once aroused is an achievement rare.”
“If thou desire not to fall into disgrace steer clear of all graver failings: for once suspicion is roused, it is impossible for anyone to remove it.”
Those who would protect themselves must prevent grave faults; after a ruler has become suspicious, clearing that suspicion is difficult for anyone.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
போற்றின் அரியவை போற்றல்= அமைச்சர் தம்மைக் காக்கக் கருதின் அரிய பிழைகள் தங்கண் வாராமற் காக்க; கடுத்தபின் தேற்றுதல் யார்க்கும் அரிது= அவற்றை வந்தனவாகக் கேட்டு, அவ்வரசர் ஐயுற்றால் அவரைப் பின் தெளிவித்தல் யாவர்க்கும் அரிதாகலான்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
If you desire to protect yourself, guard strictly against grave offenses; for once a ruler's mind is clouded by suspicion, it is nearly impossible for anyone to remove it.