Nobility of Character
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aṭukkiya kōṭi peṟiṉuṅ kuṭippiṟantār / kuṉṟuva ceyta lilar.
“Millions on millions piled would never win / The men of noble race to soul-degrading sin.”
“Men of family would not tarnish their name even for the sake of tens of millions.”
Though offered millions upon millions, the noble-born never commit degrading acts.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அடுக்கிய கோடி பெறினும்= பலவாக அடுக்கிய கோடி அளவிற்றாய பொருளைப் பெற்றாராயினும்; குடிப்பிறந்தார் குன்றுவ செய்தல் இலர்= உயர்ந்த குடியின்கண் பிறந்தார் தம் ஒழுக்கம் குன்றும் தொழில்களைச் செய்யார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Even if offered heaped-up millions in wealth, those of noble heritage will never stoop to deeds that compromise their integrity.