Comporting Oneself Before Princes
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pōṟṟi ṉariyavai pōṟṟal kaṭuttapiṉ / ṟēṟṟutal yārkku maritu.
Those who would protect themselves must prevent grave faults; after a ruler has become suspicious, clearing that suspicion is difficult for anyone.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Who would walk warily, let him of greater faults beware; / To clear suspicions once aroused is an achievement rare.”
“If thou desire not to fall into disgrace steer clear of all graver failings: for once suspicion is roused, it is impossible for anyone to remove it.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
போற்றின் அரியவை போற்றல்= அமைச்சர் தம்மைக் காக்கக் கருதின் அரிய பிழைகள் தங்கண் வாராமற் காக்க; கடுத்தபின் தேற்றுதல் யார்க்கும் அரிது= அவற்றை வந்தனவாகக் கேட்டு, அவ்வரசர் ஐயுற்றால் அவரைப் பின் தெளிவித்தல் யாவர்க்கும் அரிதாகலான்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that ministers who wish to protect themselves must prevent grave faults from arising, because after the ruler hears of them and becomes suspicious, restoring clarity is difficult for anyone.