Considerate Regard
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oṟuttāṟṟum paṇpiṉār kaṇṇuṅkaṇ ṇōṭip / poṟuttāṟṟum paṇpē talai.
For rulers, foremost is the quality of showing regard and patiently forbearing even toward people inclined to punish or hurt them.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“To smile on those that vex, with kindly face, / Enduring long, is most excelling grace.”
“It is nobility to forbear and show indulgence even unto those that have offended thee.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஒறுத்தாற்றும் பண்பினார் கண்ணும்= தம்மை ஒறுக்கும் இயல்புடையார் இடத்தும்; கண்ணோடிப் பொறுத்து ஆற்றும் பண்பே தலை= கண்ணோட்டம் உடையராய்க் குற்றத்தைப் பொறுக்கும் இயல்பே அரசர்க்குத் தலையாய இயல்பாவது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar ranks as the ruler's foremost quality the ability to show regard and forbear even toward people who punish or hurt the ruler. In modern application, forbearance need not mean remaining in danger: safety, distance, reporting, and fair accountability can coexist with refusal to retaliate.