Couplet: Who arrogance, and wrath, and littleness of low desire restrain, To sure increase of lofty dignity attain English Explanation: 54 Truly great is the excellence of those (kings) who are free from pride, anger, and lust Transliteration: Serukkunj Chinamum Sirumaiyum Illaar Perukkam Perumidha Neerththu
Couplet: A niggard hand, o'erweening self-regard, and mirth Unseemly, bring disgrace to men of kingly brith English Explanation: Avarice, undignified pride, and low pleasures are faults in a king Transliteration: Ivaralum Maanpirandha Maanamum Maanaa Uvakaiyum Edham Iraikku
Couplet: Though small as millet-seed the fault men deem; As palm tree vast to those who fear disgrace 'twill seem English Explanation: Those who fear guilt, if they commit a fault small as a millet seed, will consider it to be as large as a palmyra tree Transliteration: Thinaiththunaiyaang Kutram Varinum Panaiththunaiyaak Kolvar Pazhinaanu Vaar
Couplet: Freedom from faults is wealth; watch heedfully 'Gainst these, for fault is fatal enmity English Explanation: Guard against faults as a matter (of great consequence; for) faults are a deadly enemy Transliteration: Kutrame Kaakka Porulaakak Kutrame Atran Tharooum Pakai
Couplet: His joy who guards not 'gainst the coming evil day, Like straw before the fire shall swift consume away English Explanation: The prosperity of him who does not timely guard against faults, will perish like straw before fire Transliteration: Varumunnark Kaavaadhaan Vaazhkkai Erimunnar Vaiththooru Polak Ketum
Couplet: Faultless the king who first his own faults cures, and then Permits himself to scan faults of other men English Explanation: What fault will remain in the king who has put away his own evils, and looks after the evils of others Transliteration: Thankutram Neekkip Pirarkutrang Kaankirpin Enkutra Maakum Iraikku?
Couplet: Who leaves undone what should be done, with niggard mind, His wealth shall perish, leaving not a wrack behind English Explanation: The wealth of the avaricious man, who does not expend it for the purposes for which he ought to expend it will waste away and not continue Transliteration: Seyarpaala Seyyaa Thivariyaan Selvam Uyarpaala Thandrik Ketum
Couplet: The greed of soul that avarice men call, When faults are summed, is worst of all English Explanation: Griping avarice is not to be reckoned as one among other faults; (it stands alone - greater than all) Transliteration: Patrullam Ennum Ivaranmai Etrullum Ennap Patuvadhon Randru
Couplet: Never indulge in self-complaisant mood, Nor deed desire that yields no gain of good English Explanation: Let no (one) praise himself, at any time; let him not desire to do useless things Transliteration: Viyavarka Egngnaandrum Thannai Nayavarka Nandri Payavaa Vinai
Couplet: If, to your foes unknown, you cherish what you love, Counsels of men who wish you harm will harmless prove English Explanation: If (a king) enjoys, privately the things which he desires, the designs of his enemies will be useless Transliteration: Kaadhala Kaadhal Ariyaamai Uykkirpin Edhila Edhilaar Nool