Knowing the Assembly
.
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
iṭaiterintu naṉkuṇarntu colluka colli / ṉaṭaiterinta naṉmai yavar.
Discern the fitting moment, understand the matter thoroughly, and then speak—this is the practice of those who know how words should move.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Good men to whom the arts of eloquence are known, / Should seek occasion meet, and say what well they've made their own.”
“O ye that have the gift of eloquence! ascertain the mood of your audience first and then speak after careful deliberation.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
சொல்லின் நடை தெரிந்த நன்மையவர்= சொற்களின் நடையினை ஆராய்ந்து அறிந்த நன்மையினை உடையார்; இடை தெரிந்து நன்கு உணர்ந்து சொல்லுக= அவைக்கண் ஒன்று சொல்லுங்கால் அதன் செவ்வியை ஆராய்ந்து அறிந்து வழுப்படாமல் மிகவும் தெளிந்து சொல்லுக.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
For Parimelazhagar, those who understand the manner of speech must discern the assembly's fitting moment, grasp the matter fully, and speak without slipping.