The Excellence of an Army
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nilaimakkaḷ cāla vuṭaitteṉiṉun tāṉai / talaimakka ḷilvaḻi yil.
“Though men abound, all ready for the war, / No army is where no fit leaders are.”
“Even if there is no lack of troops of the line, there is no army when there are no chiefs to lead.”
Even if steady soldiers are abundant, there is no functioning army when capable commanders are absent.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
நிலைமக்கள் சால உடைத்து எனினும்= போரின்கண் நிலையுடைய வீரரை மிக உடைத்தேயாயினும்; தலைமக்கள் இல் வழித் தானை இல்= தனக்குத் தலைவராகிய வீரர் இல்லாதவழித் தானை நில்லாது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Though composed of steadfast and capable soldiers, an army cannot endure or prevail when deprived of competent commanders to guide them.