Couplet: Lowest and meanest lore, that bids men trust secure, In things that pass away, as things that shall endure English Explanation: That ignorance which considers those things to be stable which are not so, is dishonourable (to the wise) Transliteration: Nillaadha Vatrai Nilaiyina Endrunarum Pullari Vaanmai Katai
Couplet: As crowds round dancers fill the hall, is wealth's increase; Its loss, as throngs dispersing, when the dances cease English Explanation: The acquisition of wealth is like the gathering together of an assembly for a theatre; its expenditure is like the breaking up of that assembly Transliteration: Kooththaattu Avaik Kuzhaath Thatre Perunjelvam Pokkum Adhuvilin Thatru
Couplet: Unenduring is all wealth; if you wealth enjoy, Enduring works in working wealth straightway employ English Explanation: Wealth is perishable; let those who obtain it immediately practise those (virtues) which are imperishable Transliteration: Arkaa Iyalpitruch Chelvam Adhupetraal Arkupa Aange Seyal
Couplet: As 'day' it vaunts itself; well understood, 'tis knife', That daily cuts away a portion from thy life English Explanation: Time, which shows itself (to the ignorant) as if it were something (real) is in the estimation of the wise (only) a saw which cuts down life Transliteration: Naalena Ondrupor Kaatti Uyir Eerum Vaaladhu Unarvaarp Perin
Couplet: Before the tongue lie powerless, 'mid the gasp of gurgling breath, Arouse thyself, and do good deeds beyond the power of death English Explanation: Let virtuous deeds be done quickly, before the hiccup comes making the tongue silent Transliteration: Naachchetru Vikkulmel Vaaraamun Nalvinai Mersendru Seyyap Patum
Couplet: Existing yesterday, today to nothing hurled!- Such greatness owns this transitory world English Explanation: This world possesses the greatness that one who yesterday was is not today Transliteration: Nerunal Ulanoruvan Indrillai Ennum Perumai Utaiththuiv Vulaku
Couplet: Who know not if their happy lives shall last the day, In fancies infinite beguile the hours away English Explanation: Innumerable are the thoughts which occupy the mind of (the unwise), who know not that they shall live another moment Transliteration: Orupozhudhum Vaazhvadhu Ariyaar Karudhupa Kotiyum Alla Pala
Couplet: Birds fly away, and leave the nest deserted bare; Such is the short-lived friendship soul and body share English Explanation: The love of the soul to the body is like (the love of) a bird to its egg which it flies away from and leaves empty Transliteration: Kutampai Thaniththu Ozhiyap Pulparan Thatre Utampotu Uyiritai Natpu
Couplet: Death is sinking into slumbers deep; Birth again is waking out of sleep English Explanation: Death is like sleep; birth is like awaking from it Transliteration: Urangu Vadhupolunj Chaakkaatu Urangi Vizhippadhu Polum Pirappu
Couplet: The soul in fragile shed as lodger courts repose:- Is it because no home's conclusive rest it knows English Explanation: It seems as if the soul, which takes a temporary shelter in a body, had not attained a home Transliteration: Pukkil Amaindhindru Kollo Utampinul Thuchchil Irundha Uyirkku