Avoiding Fear-Inspiring Rule
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veruvanta ceytoḻukum veṅkōla ṉāyi / ṉoruvanta mollaik keṭum.
If a ruler follows a cruel sceptre through deeds that make the people tremble, he will certainly perish quickly.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Where subjects dread of cruel wrongs endure, / Ruin to unjust king is swift and sure.”
“Behold the prince who ruleth with a rod of iron and causeth anguish unto his people: he shall stand without a friend and perish forthwith.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
வெருவந்த செய்தொழுகும் வெங்கோலன் ஆயின்= குடிகள் வெருவிய செயல்களைச் செய்துநடக்கும் வெங்கோலனாம் ஆயின்; ஒருவந்தம் ஒல்லைக் கெடும்= அரசன் ஒருதலையாகக் கடிதிற் கெடும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says that if a king becomes a cruel ruler by repeatedly doing what makes his subjects afraid, his ruin is certain and swift.