Couplet: It yields distinction, yields prosperity; what gain Greater than virtue can a living man obtain English Explanation: Virtue will confer heaven and wealth; what greater source of happiness can man possess ? Transliteration: Sirappu Eenum Selvamum Eenum Araththinooungu Aakkam Evano Uyirkku
Couplet: No greater gain than virtue aught can cause; No greater loss than life oblivious of her laws English Explanation: There can be no greater source of good than (the practice of) virtue; there can be no greater source of evil than the forgetfulness of it Transliteration: Araththinooungu Aakkamum Illai Adhanai Maraththalin Oongillai Ketu
Couplet: To finish virtue's work with ceaseless effort strive, What way thou may'st, where'er thou see'st the work may thrive English Explanation: As much as possible, in every way, incessantly practise virtue Transliteration: Ollum Vakaiyaan Aravinai Ovaadhe Sellumvaai Ellaanj Cheyal
Couplet: Spotless be thou in mind! This only merits virtue's name; All else, mere pomp of idle sound, no real worth can claim English Explanation: Let him who does virtuous deeds be of spotless mind; to that extent is virtue; all else is vain show Transliteration: Manaththukkan Maasilan Aadhal Anaiththu Aran Aakula Neera Pira
Couplet: 'Tis virtue when, his footsteps sliding not through envy, wrath, Lust, evil speech-these four, man onwards moves in ordered path English Explanation: That conduct is virtue which is free from these four things, viz, malice, desire, anger and bitter speech Transliteration: Azhukkaaru Avaavekuli Innaachchol Naankum Izhukkaa Iyandradhu Aram
Couplet: Do deeds of virtue now Say not, 'To-morrow we'll be wise'; Thus, when thou diest, shalt thou find a help that never dies English Explanation: Defer not virtue to another day; receive her now; and at the dying hour she will be your undying friend Transliteration: Andrarivaam Ennaadhu Aranjeyka Matradhu Pondrungaal Pondraath Thunai
Couplet: Needs not in words to dwell on virtue's fruits: compare The man in litter borne with them that toiling bear English Explanation: The fruit of virtue need not be described in books; it may be inferred from seeing the bearer of a palanquin and the rider therein Transliteration: Araththaaru Ithuvena Ventaa Sivikai Poruththaanotu Oorndhaan Itai
Couplet: If no day passing idly, good to do each day you toil, A stone it will be to block the way of future days of moil English Explanation: If one allows no day to pass without some good being done, his conduct will be a stone to block up the passage to other births Transliteration: Veezhnaal Pataaamai Nandraatrin Aqdhoruvan Vaazhnaal Vazhiyataikkum Kal
Couplet: What from virtue floweth, yieldeth dear delight; All else extern, is void of glory's light English Explanation: Only that pleasure which flows from domestic virtue is pleasure; all else is not pleasure, and it is without praise Transliteration: Araththaan Varuvadhe Inpam Mar Rellaam Puraththa Pukazhum Ila
Couplet: 'Virtue' sums the things that should be done; 'Vice' sums the things that man should shun English Explanation: That is virtue which each ought to do, and that is vice which each should shun Transliteration: Seyarpaala Thorum Arane Oruvarku Uyarpaala Thorum Pazhi