Couplet: Control of self does man conduct to bliss th' immortals share; Indulgence leads to deepest night, and leaves him there English Explanation: Self-control will place (a man) among the Gods; the want of it will drive (him) into the thickest darkness (of hell) Transliteration: Atakkam Amararul Uykkum Atangaamai Aarirul Uyththu Vitum
Couplet: Guard thou as wealth the power of self-control; Than this no greater gain to living soul English Explanation: Let self-control be guarded as a treasure; there is no greater source of good for man than that Transliteration: Kaakka Porulaa Atakkaththai Aakkam Adhaninooung Killai Uyirkku
Couplet: If versed in wisdom's lore by virtue's law you self restrain Your self-repression known will yield you glory's gain English Explanation: Knowing that self-control is knowledge, if a man should control himself, in the prescribed course, such self-control will bring him distinction among the wise Transliteration: Serivarindhu Seermai Payakkum Arivarindhu Aatrin Atangap Perin
Couplet: In his station, all unswerving, if man self subdue, Greater he than mountain proudly rising to the view English Explanation: More lofty than a mountain will be the greatness of that man who without swerving from his domestic state, controls himself Transliteration: Nilaiyin Thiriyaadhu Atangiyaan Thotram Malaiyinum Maanap Peridhu
Couplet: To all humility is goodly grace; but chief to them With fortune blessed, -'tis fortune's diadem English Explanation: Humility is good in all; but especially in the rich it is (the excellence of) higher riches Transliteration: Ellaarkkum Nandraam Panidhal Avarullum Selvarkke Selvam Thakaiththu
Couplet: Like tortoise, who the five restrains In one, through seven world bliss obtains English Explanation: Should one throughout a single birth, like a tortoise keep in his five senses, the fruit of it will prove a safe-guard to him throughout the seven-fold births. Transliteration: Orumaiyul Aamaipol Aindhatakkal Aatrin Ezhumaiyum Emaap Putaiththu
Couplet: Whate'er they fail to guard, o'er lips men guard should keep; If not, through fault of tongue, they bitter tears shall weep English Explanation: Whatever besides you leave unguarded, guard your tongue; otherwise errors of speech and the consequent misery will ensue Transliteration: Yaakaavaa Raayinum Naakaakka Kaavaakkaal Sokaappar Sollizhukkup Pattu
Couplet: Though some small gain of good it seem to bring, The evil word is parent still of evil thing English Explanation: If a man's speech be productive of a single evil, all the good by him will be turned into evil Transliteration: Ondraanun Theechchol Porutpayan Untaayin Nandraakaa Thaaki Vitum
Couplet: In flesh by fire inflamed, nature may thoroughly heal the sore; In soul by tongue inflamed, the ulcer healeth never more English Explanation: The wound which has been burnt in by fire may heal, but a wound burnt in by the tongue will never heal Transliteration: Theeyinaar Suttapun Ullaarum Aaraadhe Naavinaar Sutta Vatu
Couplet: Who learns restraint, and guards his soul from wrath, Virtue, a timely aid, attends his path English Explanation: Virtue, seeking for an opportunity, will come into the path of that man who, possessed of learning and self-control, guards himself against anger Transliteration: Kadhangaaththuk Katratangal Aatruvaan Sevvi Arampaarkkum Aatrin Nuzhaindhu