The Councillor of State
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aṟaṉaṟin tāṉṟamainta collāṉeñ ñāṉṟun / tiṟaṉaṟintāṉ ṟērccit tuṇai.
One who knows justice, speaks with learned fitness, and understands effective means in every circumstance is a dependable counsellor.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“The man who virtue knows, has use of wise and pleasant words. / With plans for every season apt, in counsel aid affords.”
“Behold the man who knoweth the law and aboundeth in instruction, is deliberate in his speech and always understandeth what is fit for each occasion: he is the Councillor for thee.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறன் அறிந்து ஆன்று அமைந்த சொல்லான்= அரசனாற் செய்யப்படும் அறங்களை அறிந்து, தனக்கு ஏற்ற கல்வியான் நிறைந்தமைந்த சொல்லை உடையனாய்; எஞ்ஞான்றும் திறன் அறிந்தான்= எக்காலத்தும் வினை செய்யும் திறங்களை அறிந்தான்; தேர்ச்சித் துணை= அவர்க்குச் சூழ்ச்சித் துணையாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar describes a counsellor who knows the ruler's ethical duties, possesses speech matured by suitable learning, and understands effective courses of action in every condition of the state. Such a person is a dependable aid in deliberation.