Learning by Listening
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
iḻukka luṭaiyuḻi yūṟṟukkō laṟṟē / yoḻukka muṭaiyārvāyc col
The words spoken by people of ethical conduct are like a staff that supports a traveller wherever the ground is slippery.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Like staff in hand of him in slippery ground who strays / Are words from mouth of those who walk in righteous ways.”
“The counsel of the righteous is like unto a strong staff: for it keepeth those that listen to it from slipping.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இழுக்கல் உடையுழி ஊற்றுக்கோல் அற்றே= வழுக்குதலையுடைய சேற்றுநிலத்து இயங்குவார்க்கு ஊன்றுகோல் போல் உதவும்; ஒழுக்கம் உடையார் வாய்ச்சொல்= காவற் சாகாடு உகைப்பார்க்கு ஒழுக்கமுடையார் வாயிற்சொற்கள்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar reads the verse through the image of a traveller crossing slippery, muddy ground: the words of people whose conduct is sound provide support like a staff. Their counsel earns trust through ethical practice, but the simile does not require blind obedience or remove the listener's duty to verify.