Comporting Oneself Before Princes
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
koḷappaṭṭē meṉṟeṇṇik koḷḷāta ceyyār / tuḷakkaṟṟa kāṭci yavar.
“'We've gained his grace, boots nought what graceless acts we do', / So deem not sages who the changeless vision view.”
“Behold the men whose vision is unconfused and clear: they never do things that displease the prince, saying, we are favoured of him.”
People of unwavering judgment do not think royal favour permits them to do what the ruler rejects.
Ask about this Kural
Answers are drawn only from this Kural's sourced text and named commentary, and always cite what they used.
Choose a section
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கொளப்பட்டேம் என்று எண்ணிக்கொள்ளாத செய்யார்= அரசனால் யாம் நன்கு மதிக்கப்பட்டேம் என்று கருதி அவன் விரும்பாதவற்றைச் செய்யார்; துளக்கு அற்ற காட்சியவர்= நிலைபெற்ற அறிவினை உடையார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Thinking 'we are favored and cherished by the king', counselors of unwavering wisdom never dare commit improper deeds that overstep ethical bounds.