Couplet: Call that a gift to needy men thou dost dispense, All else is void of good, seeking for recompense English Explanation: To give to the destitute is true charity All other gifts have the nature of (what is done for) a measured return Transliteration: Variyaarkkondru Eevadhe Eekaimar Rellaam Kuriyedhirppai Neera Thutaiththu
Couplet: Though men declare it heavenward path, yet to receive is ill; Though upper heaven were not, to give is virtue still English Explanation: To beg is evil, even though it were said that it is a good path (to heaven) To give is good, even though it were said that those who do so cannot obtain heaven Transliteration: Nallaaru Eninum Kolaldheedhu Melulakam Illeninum Eedhale Nandru
Couplet: 'I've nought' is ne'er the high-born man's reply; He gives to those who raise themselves that cry English Explanation: (Even in a low state) not to adopt the mean expedient of saying "I have nothing," but to give, is the characteristic of the mad of noble birth Transliteration: Ilanennum Evvam Uraiyaamai Eedhal Kulanutaiyaan Kanne Yula
Couplet: The suppliants' cry for aid yields scant delight, Until you see his face with grateful gladness bright English Explanation: To see men begging from us in disagreeable, until we see their pleasant countenance Transliteration: Innaadhu Irakkap Patudhal Irandhavar Inmukang Kaanum Alavu
Couplet: 'Mid devotees they're great who hunger's pangs sustain, Who hunger's pangs relieve a higher merit gain English Explanation: The power of those who perform penance is the power of enduring hunger It is inferior to the power of those who remove the hunger (of others) Transliteration: Aatruvaar Aatral Pasiaatral Appasiyai Maatruvaar Aatralin Pin
Couplet: Let man relieve the wasting hunger men endure; For treasure gained thus finds he treasure-house secure English Explanation: The removal of the killing hunger of the poor is the place for one to lay up his wealth Transliteration: Atraar Azhipasi Theerththal Aqdhoruvan Petraan Porulvaip Puzhi
Couplet: Whose soul delights with hungry men to share his meal, The hand of hunger's sickness sore shall never feel English Explanation: The fiery disease of hunger shall never touch him who habitually distributes his food to others Transliteration: Paaththoon Mareei Yavanaip Pasiyennum Theeppini Theental Aridhu
Couplet: Delight of glad'ning human hearts with gifts do they not know. Men of unpitying eye, who hoard their wealth and lose it so English Explanation: Do the hard-eyed who lay up and lose their possessions not know the happiness which springs from the pleasure of giving ? Transliteration: Eeththuvakkum Inpam Ariyaarkol Thaamutaimai Vaiththizhakkum Vanka Navar
Couplet: They keep their garners full, for self alone the board they spread;- 'Tis greater pain, be sure, than begging daily bread English Explanation: 29 Solitary and unshared eating for the sake of filling up one's own riches is certainly much more Transliteration: Iraththalin Innaadhu Mandra Nirappiya Thaame Thamiyar Unal
Couplet: 'Tis bitter pain to die, 'Tis worse to live. For him who nothing finds to give English Explanation: Nothing is more unpleasant than death: yet even that is pleasant where charity cannot be exercised Transliteration: Saadhalin Innaadha Thillai Inidhadhooum Eedhal Iyaiyaak Katai