Employing Spies
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kaṭāa vuruvoṭu kaṇṇañcā tiyāṇṭu / mukāamai vallatē yoṟṟu.
The true spy is one whose appearance arouses no suspicion, who does not fear a hostile gaze, and who can keep from divulging the secret under any pressure.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Of unsuspected mien and all-unfearing eyes, / Who let no secret out, are trusty spies.”
“Behold the man who can wear an unsuspicious appearance, who will not know confusion before any man, and who can guard his secrets from ever leaking out: he is the proper man for the work of Intelligence.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கடாஅ உருவொடு= ஒற்றப்பட்டார் கண்டால், ஐயுறாத வடிவோடு பொருந்தி; கண் அஞ்சாது= அவர் ஐயுற்று அறியலுறின் செயிர்த்து நோக்கிய அவர் கண்ணிற்கு அஞ்சாது நின்று; யாண்டும் உகாஅமை வல்லதே ஒற்று= நான்கு உபாயமும் செய்தாலும், மனத்துக் கொண்டவற்றை உமிழாமை வல்லவனே ஒற்றனாவான்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says the spy must assume an appearance that does not arouse suspicion, remain unafraid when those under observation look at him angrily, and refrain from disclosing what he holds in mind even when the four coercive strategies are used against him.