Not Fearing the Assembly
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āṟṟi ṉaḷavaṟintu kaṟka vavaiyañcā / māṟṟaṅ koṭuttaṟ poruṭṭu.
Learn the method and measure of reasoning by the proper discipline of speech, so that you may answer aptly and without fear in an assembly.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“By rule, to dialectic art your mind apply, / That in the council fearless you may make an apt reply.”
“Master thou the science of reasoning that thou mayest speak without fear in any assembly.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஆற்றின் அளவு அறிந்து கற்க= சொல் இலக்கணநெறியானே அளவை நூலை அமைச்சர் உட்பட்டுக் கற்க; அவை அஞ்சா மாற்றம் கொடுத்தற் பொருட்டு= வேற்று வேந்தர் அவையிடை அஞ்சாது அவர் சொல்லிய சொற்கு உத்தரம் சொல்லுதற் பொருட்டு.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that a minister should study reasoning through the discipline of language, knowing its method and measure, in order to answer another ruler's words aptly without fear.