Couplet: Who with deceitful mind in false way walks of covert sin, The five-fold elements his frame compose, decide within English Explanation: The five elements (of his body) will laugh within him at the feigned conduct of the deceitful minded man Transliteration: Vanja Manaththaan Patitrozhukkam Poodhangal Aindhum Akaththe Nakum
Couplet: What gain, though virtue's semblance high as heaven his fame exalt, If heart dies down through sense of self-detected fault English Explanation: What avails an appearance (of sanctity) high as heaven, if his mind suffers (the indulgence) of conscious sin Transliteration: Vaanuyar Thotram Evanseyyum Thannenjam Thaanari Kutrap Patin
Couplet: As if a steer should graze wrapped round with tiger's skin, Is show of virtuous might when weakness lurks within English Explanation: The assumed appearance of power, by a man who has no power (to restrain his senses and perform austerity), is like a cow feeding on grass covered with a tiger's skin Transliteration: Valiyil Nilaimaiyaan Valluruvam Petram Puliyindhol Porththumeyn Thatru
Couplet: 'Tis as a fowler, silly birds to snare, in thicket lurks When, clad in stern ascetic garb, one secret evil works English Explanation: He who hides himself under the mask of an ascetic and commits sins, like a sportsman who conceals himself in the thicket to catch birds Transliteration: Thavamaraindhu Allavai Seydhal Pudhalmaraindhu Vettuvan Pulsimizhth Thatru
Couplet: 'Our souls are free,' who say, yet practise evil secretly, 'What folly have we wrought!' by many shames o'er-whelmed, shall cry English Explanation: The false conduct of those who say they have renounced all desire will one day bring them sorrows that will make them cry out, "Oh! what have we done, what have we done." Transliteration: Patratrem Enpaar Patitrozhukkam Etretrendru Edham Palavun Tharum
Couplet: In mind renouncing nought, in speech renouncing every tie, Who guileful live,- no men are found than these of 'harder eye' English Explanation: Amongst living men there are none so hard-hearted as those who without to saking (desire) in their heart, falsely take the appearance of those who have forsaken (it) Transliteration: Nenjin Thuravaar Thurandhaarpol Vanjiththu Vaazhvaarin Vankanaar Il
Couplet: Outward, they shine as 'kunri' berry's scarlet bright; Inward, like tip of 'kunri' bead, as black as night English Explanation: (The world) contains persons whose outside appears (as fair) as the (red) berry of the Abrus, but whose inside is as black as the nose of that berry Transliteration: Purangundri Kantanaiya Renum Akangundri Mukkir Kariyaar Utaiththu
Couplet: Many wash in hollowed waters, living lives of hidden shame; Foul in heart, yet high upraised of men in virtuous fame English Explanation: 35 There are many men of masked conduct, who perform their ablutions, and (make a show) of Transliteration: Manaththadhu Maasaaka Maantaar Neeraati Maraindhozhuku Maandhar Palar
Couplet: Cruel is the arrow straight, the crooked lute is sweet, Judge by their deeds the many forms of men you meet English Explanation: As, in its use, the arrow is crooked, and the curved lute is straight, so by their deeds, (and not by their appearance) let (the uprightness or crookedness of) men be estimated Transliteration: Kanaikotidhu Yaazhkotu Sevvidhuaang Kanna Vinaipatu Paalaal Kolal
Couplet: What's the worth of shaven head or tresses long, If you shun what all the world condemns as wrong English Explanation: There is no need of a shaven crown, nor of tangled hair, if a man abstain from those deeds which the wise have condemned Transliteration: Mazhiththalum Neettalum Ventaa Ulakam Pazhiththadhu Ozhiththu Vitin