Honour
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iṉṟi yamaiyāc ciṟappiṉa vāyiṉuṅ / kuṉṟa varupa viṭal.
Even where they carry a distinction one cannot be complete without, let go of the things that come and bring you low.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Though linked to splendours man no otherwise may gain, / Reject each act that may thine honour's clearness stain.”
“Forbear from those things that would lower thee, even though they should be indispensable for the very preservation of thy life.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இன்றி அமையாச் சிறப்பின ஆயினும்= செய்யாதவழித் தாம் அமையாத சிறப்பினை உடையவே எனினும்; குன்ற வருப விடல்= தம் குடிப்பிறப்புத் தாழவரும் செயல்களை ஒழிக.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Even where they carry a distinction one cannot be complete without, let go of the things that come and bring you low.