Honour
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iḷivariṉ vāḻāta māṉa muṭaiyā / roḷitoḻu tēttu mulaku.
The world bows to and praises the light of those possessed of honour who do not live on when disgrace comes — and the commentary names that light as the form of their fame, and adds that the world does so at all times.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Who, when dishonour comes, refuse to live, their honoured memory / Will live in worship and applause of all the world for aye!”
“Behold the men of honour who refuse to outlive their good name: the world will join its hands and worship at the altar of their glory.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இளிவரின் வாழாத மானம் உடையார் ஒளி= தமக்கோர் இழிவு வந்துழிப் பொறுத்து உயிர் வாழாது அதனை நீத்த மானம் உடையாரது புகழ் வடிவினை; தொழுது ஏத்தும் உலகு= எஞ்ஞான்றும் தொழுது துதியாநிற்பர் உலகத்தார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The world bows to and praises the light of those possessed of honour who do not live on when disgrace comes. (Parimelazhagar names that light as the form of their fame.)