Noble Excellence
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iṉṉācey tārkku miṉiyavē ceyyākkā / leṉṉa payattatō cālpu.
“What fruit doth your perfection yield you, say! / Unless to men who work you ill good repay?”
“Where is the superiority of the worthy man if he doth not do good even unto those that work him injury?”
If you do not return good deeds even to those who harm you, of what use is noble character?
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இன்னா செய்தார்க்கும் இனியவே செய்யாக்கால்= தமக்கு இன்னாதவற்றைச் செய்தார்க்கும் சால்புடையார் இனியவற்றைச் செய்யாராயின்; சால்பு என்ன பயத்தது= அச்சால்பு வேறு என்ன பயனை உடைத்து?
Source: Tamil Wikisource
If one does not return good and sweet deeds even to those who have inflicted harm, of what avail is noble character?