Reading Unspoken Signs
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kuṟippiṟ kuṟippuṇar vārai yuṟuppiṉuḷ / yātu koṭuttuṅ koḷal.
“Who by the sign the signs interprets plain, / Give any member up his aid to gain.”
“Behold the men that can judge a man’s intentions from his looks: take them into thy council at whatever cost.”
Secure as an ally, at whatever fitting cost among one's resources, the person who understands another's sign from knowing how their own signs arise.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
குறிப்பின் குறிப்பு உணர்வாரை= தம் குறிப்பு நிகழுமாறு அறிந்து; அதனான் பிறர் குறிப்பு அறியும் தன்மையாரை; உறுப்பினுள் யாது கொடுத்தும் கொளல்= அரசர் தம் உறுப்பினுள் அவர் வேண்டுவது ஒன்றனைக் கொடுத்தாயினும், தமக்குத் துணையாகக் கொள்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Whoever can read inner intentions through outward signs should be secured as an ally by offering whatever valuable possession or sacrifice is required.