Couplet: Who knows the sign, and reads unuttered thought, the gem is he, Of earth round traversed by the changeless sea English Explanation: The minister who by looking (at the king) understands his mind without being told (of it), will be a perpetual ornament to the world which is surrounded by a never-drying sea Transliteration: 701 Kooraamai Nokkake Kuripparivaan Egngnaandrum Maaraaneer Vaiyak Kani
Couplet: Undoubting, who the minds of men can scan, As deity regard that gifted man English Explanation: He is to be esteemed a god who is able to ascertain without a doubt what is within (one's mind) Transliteration: Aiyap Pataaadhu Akaththadhu Unarvaanaith Theyvaththo Toppak Kolal
Couplet: Who by the sign the signs interprets plain, Give any member up his aid to gain English Explanation: The king should ever give whatever (is asked) of his belongings and secure him who, by the indications (of his own mind) is able to read those of another Transliteration: Kurippir Kurippunar Vaarai Uruppinul Yaadhu Kotuththum Kolal
Couplet: Who reads what's shown by signs, though words unspoken be, In form may seem as other men, in function nobler far is he English Explanation: Those who understand one's thoughts without being informed (thereof) and those who do not, may (indeed) resemble one another bodily; still are they different (mentally) Transliteration: Kuriththadhu Kooraamaik Kolvaaro Tenai Uruppo Ranaiyaraal Veru
Couplet: By sign who knows not sings to comprehend, what gain, 'Mid all his members, from his eyes does he obtain English Explanation: Of what use are the eyes amongst one's members, if they cannot by their own indications dive those of another ? Transliteration: Kurippir Kurippunaraa Vaayin Uruppinul Enna Payaththavo Kan?
Couplet: As forms around in crystal mirrored clear we find, The face will show what's throbbing in the mind English Explanation: As the mirror reflects what is near so does the face show what is uppermost in the mind Transliteration: Atuththadhu Kaattum Palingupol Nenjam Katuththadhu Kaattum Mukam
Couplet: Than speaking countenance hath aught more prescient skill? Rejoice or burn with rage, 'tis the first herald still English Explanation: Is there anything so full of knowledge as the face ? (No) it precedes the mind, whether (the latter is) pleased or vexed Transliteration: Mukaththin Mudhukkuraindhadhu Unto Uvappinum Kaayinum Thaanmun Thurum
Couplet: To see the face is quite enough, in presence brought, When men can look within and know the lurking thought English Explanation: If the king gets those who by looking into his mind can understand (and remove) what has occurred (to him) it is enough that he stand looking at their face Transliteration: Mukamnokki Nirka Amaiyum Akamnokki Utra Thunarvaarp Perin
Couplet: The eye speaks out the hate or friendly soul of man; To those who know the eye's swift varying moods to scan English Explanation: If a king gets ministers who can read the movements of the eye, the eyes (of foreign kings) will (themselves) reveal (to him) their hatred or friendship Transliteration: Pakaimaiyum Kenmaiyum Kannuraikkum Kannin Vakaimai Unarvaarp Perin
Couplet: The men of keen discerning soul no other test apply (When you their secret ask) than man's revealing eye English Explanation: The measuring-rod of those (ministers) who say "we are acute" will on inquiry be found to be their (own) eyes and nothing else Transliteration: Nunniyam Enpaar Alakkungol Kaanungaal Kannalladhu Illai Pira