Nobility of Character
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oḻukkamum vāymaiyu nāṇumim mūṉṟu / miḻukkār kuṭippiṟan tār.
“In these three things the men of noble birth fail not: / In virtuous deed and truthful word, and chastened thought.”
“Men of family fall not from three things, namely, correct conduct, truth, and a sense of shame.”
Good conduct, truthfulness, and modesty: these three are never compromised by the noble-born.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
குடிப்பிறந்தார்= உயர்ந்த குடியின்கண் பிறந்தார்; ஒழுக்கமும் வாய்மையும் நாணும் இம்மூன்றும் இழுக்கார்= தமக்குரிய ஒழுக்கம் மெய்ம்மை நாண் எனப்பட்ட இமமூன்றன் கண்ணும் கல்வியான் அன்றித் தாமாகவே வழுவார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Those born of noble heritage never falter in these three virtues: personal decorum, unwavering truthfulness, and conscientious modesty.