Couplet: Like those at draughts would play without the chequered square, Men void of ample lore would counsels of the learned share English Explanation: To speak in an assembly (of the learned) without fullness of knowledge, is like playing at chess (on a board) without squares Transliteration: Arangindri Vattaati Yatre Nirampiya Noolindrik Kotti Kolal
Couplet: Like those who doat on hoyden's undeveloped charms are they, Of learning void, who eagerly their power of words display English Explanation: The desire of the unlearned to speak (in an assembly), is like a woman without breasts desiring (the enjoyment of ) woman-hood Transliteration: Kallaadhaan Sorkaa Murudhal Mulaiyirantum Illaadhaal Penkaamur Ratru
Couplet: The blockheads, too, may men of worth appear, If they can keep from speaking where the learned hear English Explanation: The unlearned also are very excellent men, if they know how to keep silence before the learned Transliteration: Kallaa Thavarum Naninallar Katraarmun Sollaa Thirukkap Perin
Couplet: From blockheads' lips, when words of wisdom glibly flow, The wise receive them not, though good they seem to show English Explanation: Although the natural knowledge of an unlearned man may be very good, the wise will not accept for true knowledge Transliteration: Kallaadhaan Otpam Kazhiyanan Raayinum Kollaar Arivutai Yaar
Couplet: As worthless shows the worth of man unlearned, When council meets, by words he speaks discerned English Explanation: 51 The self-conceit of an unlearned man will fade away, as soon as he speaks in an assembly (of Transliteration: Kallaa Oruvan Thakaimai Thalaippeydhu Sollaatach Chorvu Patum
Couplet: 'They are': so much is true of men untaught; But, like a barren field, they yield us nought English Explanation: The unlearned are like worthless barren land: all that can be said of them is, that they exist Transliteration: Ularennum Maaththiraiyar Allaal Payavaak Kalaranaiyar Kallaa Thavar
Couplet: Who lack the power of subtle, large, and penetrating sense, Like puppet, decked with ornaments of clay, their beauty's vain pretence English Explanation: The beauty and goodness of one who is destitute of knowledge by the study of great and exquisite works, is like (the beauty and goodness) of a painted earthen doll Transliteration: Nunmaan Nuzhaipulam Illaan Ezhilnalam Manmaan Punaipaavai Yatru
Couplet: To men unlearned, from fortune's favour greater-evil springs Than poverty to men of goodly wisdom brings English Explanation: Wealth, gained by the unlearned, will give more sorrow than the poverty which may come upon the learned Transliteration: Nallaarkan Patta Varumaiyin Innaadhe Kallaarkan Patta Thiru
Couplet: Lower are men unlearned, though noble be their race, Than low-born men adorned with learning's grace English Explanation: The unlearned, though born in a high caste, are not equal in dignity to the learned; though they may have been born in a low caste Transliteration: Merpirandhaa Raayinum Kallaadhaar Keezhppirandhum Katraar Anaiththilar Paatu
Couplet: Learning's irradiating grace who gain, Others excel, as men the bestial train English Explanation: As beasts by the side of men, so are other men by the side of those who are learned in celebrated works Transliteration: Vilangotu Makkal Anaiyar Ilangunool Katraarotu Enai Yavar