Couplet: Assistance given by those who ne'er received our aid, Is debt by gift of heaven and earth but poorly paid English Explanation: (The gift of) heaven and earth is not an equivalent for a benefit which is conferred where none had been received Transliteration: Seyyaamal Seydha Udhavikku Vaiyakamum Vaanakamum Aatral Aridhu
Couplet: A timely benefit, -though thing of little worth, The gift itself, -in excellence transcends the earth English Explanation: A favour conferred in the time of need, though it be small (in itself), is (in value) much larger than the world Transliteration: Kaalaththi Naarseydha Nandri Siridheninum Gnaalaththin Maanap Peridhu
Couplet: Kindness shown by those who weigh not what the return may be: When you ponder right its merit, 'Tis vaster than the sea English Explanation: If we weigh the excellence of a benefit which is conferred without weighing the return, it is larger than the sea Transliteration: Payandhookkaar Seydha Udhavi Nayandhookkin Nanmai Katalin Peridhu
Couplet: Each benefit to those of actions' fruit who rightly deem, Though small as millet-seed, as palm-tree vast will seem English Explanation: Though the benefit conferred be as small as a millet seed, those who know its advantage will consider it as large as a palmyra fruit Transliteration: Thinaiththunai Nandri Seyinum Panaiththunaiyaak Kolvar Payandheri Vaar
Couplet: The kindly aid's extent is of its worth no measure true; Its worth is as the worth of him to whom the act you do English Explanation: The benefit itself is not the measure of the benefit; the worth of those who have received it is its measure Transliteration: Udhavi Varaiththandru Udhavi Udhavi Seyappattaar Saalpin Varaiththu
Couplet: Kindness of men of stainless soul remember evermore Forsake thou never friends who were thy stay in sorrow sore English Explanation: Forsake not the friendship of those who have been your staff in adversity Forget not be benevolence of the blameless Transliteration: Maravarka Maasatraar Kenmai Thuravarka Thunpaththul Thuppaayaar Natpu
Couplet: Through all seven worlds, in seven-fold birth, Remains in mem'ry of the wise Friendship of those who wiped on earth, The tears of sorrow from their eyes English Explanation: (The wise) will remember throughout their seven-fold births the love of those who have wiped away their affliction Transliteration: Ezhumai Ezhupirappum Ulluvar Thangan Vizhuman Thutaiththavar Natpu
Couplet: 'Tis never good to let the thought of good things done thee pass away; Of things not good, 'tis good to rid thy memory that very day English Explanation: It is not good to forget a benefit; it is good to forget an injury even in the very moment (in which it is inflicted) Transliteration: Nandri Marappadhu Nandrandru Nandralladhu Andre Marappadhu Nandru
Couplet: Effaced straightway is deadliest injury, By thought of one kind act in days gone by English Explanation: Though one inflict an injury great as murder, it will perish before the thought of one benefit (formerly) conferred Transliteration: Kondranna Innaa Seyinum Avarseydha Ondrunandru Ullak Ketum
Couplet: Who every good have killed, may yet destruction flee; Who 'benefit' has killed, that man shall ne'er 'scape free English Explanation: He who has killed every virtue may yet escape; there is no escape for him who has killed a benefit Transliteration: Ennandri Kondraarkkum Uyvuntaam Uyvillai Seynnandri Kondra Makarku