The Conduct of Affairs
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Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
muṭivu miṭaiyūṟu muṟṟiyāṅ keytum / paṭupayaṉum pārttuc ceyal.
Weigh the effort required for completion, the obstacles, and the great benefit reached after those obstacles are overcome; then act.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Accomplishment, the hindrances, large profits won / By effort: these compare, then let the work be done!”
“Determine first the exertion necessary, the obstacles in the way, and the expected profit, and then undertake thy enterprise.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
முடிவும்= வினை செய்யுங்கால் அது முடிதற்கு உளதாம் முயற்சியும்; இடையூறும்= அதற்கு வரும் இடையூறும்; முற்றியாங்கு எய்தும் படுபயனும்= அது நீங்கி முடிந்தாற் தான் எய்தும் பெரும்பயனும்; பார்த்துச் செயல்= சீர்தூக்கிச் செய்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says to weigh the effort by which the undertaking can be completed, the obstacles that will arise, and the great benefit attained after the obstacle is overcome. Expected benefit does not erase rights, harms imposed on others, unequal distribution, or uncertainty; these remain necessary modern safeguards.