Testing and Trusting People
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Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
tēṟaṟka yāraiyun tērātu tērntapiṉ / ṟēṟuka tēṟum poruḷ.
Trust no one without examination; once examined, place confidence in the particular matter that has become clear.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Trust no man whom you have not fully tried, / When tested, in his prudence proved confide.”
“Trust not a man without trying him: and after trying your men, give each of them the work for which he is fit.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
யாரையும் தேராது தேறற்க= யாவரையும் ஆராயாது தெளியாது ஒழிக; தேர்ந்தபின் தேறும் பொருள் தேறுக= ஆராய்ந்தபின் தெளியும் பொருட்களை ஐயுறாது ஒழிக.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that no one should be trusted without examination. After examining a person, one should cease doubting in the particular matters in which confidence has become clear. Reading தேறும் பொருள் as the specific work for which fitness has been demonstrated, and then entrusting that work, is a task-centred modern application supported by Aiyar and the chapter quality brief; it is not Parimelazhagar's direct wording.