Knowing the Assembly
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avai yaṟintārāyntu colluka colliṉ / ṟokaiyaṟinta tūymai yavar.
“Men pure in heart, who know of words the varied force, / Should to their audience known adapt their well-arranged discourse.”
“O ye that know how to weigh your words! study well your audience and suit your speech to it.”
Study the assembly, weigh the kinds and force of words, and then speak in a form fitted to those who hear.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
சொல்லின் தொகை அறிந்த தூய்மையவர்= சொல்லின் குழுவினை அறிந்த தூய்மையினை உடையார்; அவை அறிந்து ஆராய்ந்து சொல்லுக= தாம் ஒன்று சொல்லுங்கால் அப்பொழுதை அவையினை அறிந்து ஆராய்ந்து சொல்லுதல்
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Those who possess pure mastery over the nuance and power of words must carefully gauge the caliber of the assembly and deliberate well before speaking.