Manly Exertion
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tāḷāṇmai yeṉṉum takaimakkaṭ ṭaṅkiṟṟē / vēḷāṇmai eṉṉuñ cerukku.
The worthy pride called beneficence rests within the quality called persevering effort.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“In strenuous effort doth reside / The power of helping others: noble pride!”
“The proud pleasure of being able to serve all men belongeth only to the greatness that shrinketh not from any exertion.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
தாளாண்மை என்னும் தகைமைக்கண் தங்கிற்றே= முயற்சி என்று சொல்லப்படுகின்ற உயர்ந்த குணத்தின் கண்ணே நிலைபெற்றது; வேளாண்மை என்னும் செருக்கு= எல்லார்க்கும் உபகாரம்செய்தல் என்னும் மேம்பாடு.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that the distinction of benefitting others abides in the quality of persevering effort. A wish to help is not yet beneficence; sustained capability must carry the intended help into dependable effect.