Couplet: As doth the house beseem, she shows her wifely dignity; As doth her husband's wealth befit, she spends: help - meet is she English Explanation: She who has the excellence of home virtues, and can expend within the means of her husband, is a help in the domestic state Transliteration: Manaikdhakka Maanputaiyal Aakiththar Kontaan Valaththakkaal Vaazhkkaith Thunai
Couplet: If household excellence be wanting in the wife, Howe'er with splendour lived, all worthless is the life English Explanation: If the wife be devoid of domestic excellence, whatever (other) greatness be possessed, the conjugal state, is nothing Transliteration: Manaimaatchi Illaalkan Illaayin Vaazhkkai Enaimaatchith Thaayinum Il
Couplet: There is no lack within the house, where wife in worth excels, There is no luck within the house, where wife dishonoured dwells English Explanation: If his wife be eminent (in virtue), what does (that man) not possess ? If she be without excellence, what does (he) possess ? Transliteration: Illadhen Illaval Maanpaanaal Ulladhen Illaval Maanaak Katai?
Couplet: If woman might of chastity retain, What choicer treasure doth the world contain English Explanation: What is more excellent than a wife, if she possess the stability of chastity ? Transliteration: Pennin Perundhakka Yaavula Karpennum Thinmaiun Taakap Perin
Couplet: No God adoring, low she bends before her lord; Then rising, serves: the rain falls instant at her word English Explanation: If she, who does not worship God, but who rising worships her husband, say, "let it rain," it will rain Transliteration: Theyvam Thozhaaal Kozhunan Thozhudhezhuvaal Peyyenap Peyyum Mazhai
Couplet: Who guards herself, for husband's comfort cares, her household's fame, In perfect wise with sleepless soul preserves, -give her a woman's name English Explanation: She is a wife who unweariedly guards herself, takes care of her husband, and preserves an unsullied fame Transliteration: Tharkaaththuth Tharkontaar Penith Thakaisaandra Sorkaaththuch Chorvilaal Pen
Couplet: Of what avail is watch and ward? Honour's woman's safest guard English Explanation: What avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity Transliteration: Siraikaakkum Kaappevan Seyyum Makalir Niraikaakkum Kaappe Thalai
Couplet: If wife be wholly true to him who gained her as his bride, Great glory gains she in the world where gods bliss abide English Explanation: If women shew reverence to their husbands, they will obtain great excellence in the world where the gods flourish Transliteration: Petraar Perinperuvar Pentir Perunjirappup Puththelir Vaazhum Ulaku
Couplet: Who have not spouses that in virtue's praise delight, They lion-like can never walk in scorner's sight English Explanation: The man whose wife seeks not the praise (of chastity) cannot walk with lion-like stately step, before those who revile them Transliteration: Pukazhpurindha Illilorkku Illai Ikazhvaarmun Erupol Peetu Natai
Couplet: The house's 'blessing', men pronounce the house-wife excellent; The gain of blessed children is its goodly ornament English Explanation: The excellence of a wife is the good of her husband; and good children are the jewels of that goodness Transliteration: Mangalam Enpa Manaimaatchi Matru Adhan Nankalam Nanmakkat Peru