Knowing the Assembly
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avai yaṟintārāyntu colluka colliṉ / ṟokaiyaṟinta tūymai yavar.
Study the assembly, weigh the kinds and force of words, and then speak in a form fitted to those who hear.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Men pure in heart, who know of words the varied force, / Should to their audience known adapt their well-arranged discourse.”
“O ye that know how to weigh your words! study well your audience and suit your speech to it.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
சொல்லின் தொகை அறிந்த தூய்மையவர்= சொல்லின் குழுவினை அறிந்த தூய்மையினை உடையார்; அவை அறிந்து ஆராய்ந்து சொல்லுக= தாம் ஒன்று சொல்லுங்கால் அப்பொழுதை அவையினை அறிந்து ஆராய்ந்து சொல்லுதல்
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar reads the speaker as one who knows the groupings and functions of words. Such a person must first examine the particular assembly and then arrange the discourse to fit it.