Seeking the Support of the Wise
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tammiṟ periyār tamarā voḻukutal / vaṉmaiyu ḷellān talai
To live guided by companions greater than oneself is foremost among every form of strength.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“To live with men of greatness that their own excels, / As cherished friends, is greatest power that with a monarch dwells.”
“If those that are worthier than thyself have become thy intimates, thou hast acquired a strength before which all other strength paleth.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
தம்மிற் பெரியார் தமரா ஒழுகுதல்= அறிவு முதலியவற்றால் தம்மின் மிக்கார் தமக்குச் சிறந்தாராகத் தாம் அவர்வழி நின்று ஒழுகுதல்; வன்மையுள் எல்லாம் தலை= அரசர்க்கு எல்லா வலியுடைமையினும் தலை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar identifies the highest royal strength as living in alignment with companions who exceed the ruler in knowledge and other excellences.