Noble Excellence
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kaṭaṉeṉpa nallavai yellāṅ kaṭaṉaṟintu / cāṉṟāṇmai mēṟkoḷ pavarkku.
“All goodly things are duties to the men, they say / Who set themselves to walk in virtue's perfect way.”
“Behold the men that know their duties and want to cultivate worth in themselves: everything that is good will be a duty in their eyes.”
All good virtues are considered natural duties by those who embrace noble character.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கடன் அறிந்து சான்றாண்மை மேற்கொள்பவர்க்கு= நமக்குத் தகுவது இது என்று அறிந்து சான்றாண்மையை மேற்கொண்டு ஒழுகுவார்குக்; நல்லவை எல்லாம் கடன் என்ப= நல்லனவாய குணங்கள் எல்லாம் இயல்பாய் இருக்கும் என்று சொல்லுவர் நூலோர்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
To those who understand their duties and embrace the noble discipline of perfect character, practicing all good virtues is declared a natural obligation.