Acting after Deliberation
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terinta viṉattoṭu tērnteṇṇic ceyvārk / karumporuḷ yātoṉṟu mil
For those who choose a knowledgeable council, examine the undertaking with it, and then think for themselves before acting, no objective remains inherently unattainable.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“With chosen friends deliberate; next use the private thought; / Then act. By those who thus proceed all works with ease are wrought.”
“Behold the prince who decideth upon action only after consulting with men chosen for their worth: there is nothing that is impossible for him.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
தெரிந்த இனத்தொடு தேர்ந்து எண்ணிச் செய்வார்க்கு= தாம் தெரிந்துகொண்ட இனத்துடனே செய்யத்தகும் வினையை ஆராய்ந்து பின் தாமேயும் எண்ணிச்செய்து முடிக்கவல்ல அரசர்க்கு; அரும்பொருள் யாதொன்றும் இல்= எய்துதற்கரிய பொருள் யாது ஒன்றும் இல்லை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar makes the sequence explicit: select a competent circle, investigate the fitting action with it, then exercise one's own judgement. The closing claim praises the power of this discipline rather than promising every wish.