The Councillor of State
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ceyaṟkai yaṟintak kaṭaittu mulakat / tiyaṟkai yaṟintu ceyal.
Even after learning formal methods, act with an understanding of how the world is actually operating now.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Though knowing all that books can teach, 'tis truest tact / To follow common sense of men in act.”
“Even though thou art wise in thy knowledge of books, gather thou the wisdom of experience and act in accordance therewith.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
செயற்கை அறிந்தக் கடைத்தும்= நூல்நெறியான் வினசெய்யும் திறஙகளை அறிந்தவிடத்தும்; உலகத்து இயற்கை அறிந்து செயல்= அப்பொழுது நடக்கின்ற உலகவியற்கையை அறிந்து அதனோடு பொருந்தச் செய்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says that even when one knows from texts the methods for carrying out an undertaking, one must understand the world's present way of operating and act in a manner fitted to it.