Comporting Oneself Before Princes
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paḻaiya meṉakkarutip paṇpalla ceyyuṅ / keḻutakaimai kēṭu tarum.
“Who think 'We're ancient friends' and do unseemly things; / To these familiarity sure ruin brings.”
“The men that rely on their intimacy with the prince and do unworthy deeds will perish.”
Presumptuous familiarity that treats long association as permission for conduct outside proper character brings ruin.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
பழையம் எனக்கருதிப் பண்பு அல்ல செய்யும் கெழுதகைமை= அரசனுக்கு யாம் பழையம்எனக் கருதித் தமக்கு இயல்புஅல்லாதவற்றைச் செய்யும் உரிமை; கேடு தரும்= அமைச்சர்க்குக் கேட்டினைப் பயக்கும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Presuming on long familiarity to behave unworthily and overstep boundaries with a leader is an arrogant entitlement that invites swift ruin.