Couplet: Begin no work of war, depise no foe, Till place where you can wholly circumvent you know English Explanation: Let not (a king) despise (an enemy), nor undertake any thing (against him), until he has obtained (a suitable) place for besieging him Transliteration: Thotangarka Evvinaiyum Ellarka Mutrum Itanganta Pinal Ladhu
Couplet: Though skill in war combine with courage tried on battle-field, The added gain of fort doth great advantage yield English Explanation: Even to those who are men of power and expedients, an attack in connection with a fortification will yield many advantages Transliteration: Muranserndha Moimpi Navarkkum Aranserndhaam Aakkam Palavun Tharum
Couplet: E'en weak ones mightily prevail, if place of strong defence, They find, protect themselves, and work their foes offence English Explanation: Even the powerless will become powerful and conquer, if they select a proper field (of action), and guard themselves, while they make war on their enemies Transliteration: Aatraarum Aatri Atupa Itanarindhu Potraarkan Potrich Cheyin
Couplet: The foes who thought to triumph, find their thoughts were vain, If hosts advance, seize vantage ground, and thence the fight maintain English Explanation: If they who draw near (to fight) choose a suitable place to approach (their enemy), the latter, will have to relinquish the thought which they once entertained, of conquering them Transliteration: Enniyaar Ennam Izhappar Itanarindhu Thunniyaar Thunnich Cheyin
Couplet: The crocodile prevails in its own flow of water wide, If this it leaves, 'tis slain by anything beside English Explanation: In deep water, a crocodile will conquer (all other animals); but if it leave the water, other animals will conquer it Transliteration: Netumpunalul Vellum Mudhalai Atumpunalin Neengin Adhanaip Pira
Couplet: The lofty car, with mighty wheel, sails not o'er watery main, The boat that skims the sea, runs not on earth's hard plain English Explanation: Wide chariots, with mighty wheels, will not run on the ocean; neither will ships that the traverse ocean, move on the earth Transliteration: Katalotaa Kaalval Netundher Katalotum Naavaayum Otaa Nilaththu
Couplet: Save their own fearless might they need no other aid, If in right place they fight, all due provision made English Explanation: You will need no other aid than fearlessness, if you thoroughly reflect (on what you are to do), and select (a suitable) place for your operations Transliteration: Anjaamai Allaal Thunaiventaa Enjaamai Enni Itaththaal Seyin
Couplet: If lord of army vast the safe retreat assail Of him whose host is small, his mightiest efforts fail English Explanation: The power of one who has a large army will perish, if he goes into ground where only a small army can act Transliteration: Sirupataiyaan Sellitam Serin Urupataiyaan Ookkam Azhindhu Vitum
Couplet: Though fort be none, and store of wealth they lack, 'Tis hard a people's homesteads to attack English Explanation: It is a hazardous thing to attack men in their own country, although they may neither have power nor a good fortress Transliteration: Sirainalanum Seerum Ilareninum Maandhar Urainilaththotu Ottal Aridhu
Couplet: The jackal slays, in miry paths of foot-betraying fen, The elephant of fearless eye and tusks transfixing armed men English Explanation: A fox can kill a fearless, warrior-faced elephant, if it go into mud in which its legs sink down Transliteration: Kaalaazh Kalaril Nariyatum Kannanjaa Velaal Mukaththa Kaliru