Purity of Action
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ōotal vēṇṭu moḷimāḻkuñ ceyviṉai / yāatu meṉṉu mavar.
Those who intend to rise higher must shun every deed that dims their moral lustre.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Who tell themselves that nobler things shall yet be won / All deeds that dim the light of glory must they shun.”
“Those that desire to rise in the world, let them abjure all action that can tarnish their glory.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஆஅதும் என்னுமவர்= மேலாகக் கடவேம் என்று கருதுவார்; ஒளி மாழ்கும் வினை செய் ஓஒதல் வேண்டும்= தம் ஒளி கெடுதற்குக் காரணமாய வினையைச் செய்தலைத் தவிர்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says those who intend to rise higher must refrain from every action that would cause their existing moral lustre to fade.