Couplet: 'Decorum' gives especial excellence; with greater care 'Decorum' should men guard than life, which all men share English Explanation: Propriety of conduct leads to eminence, it should therefore be preserved more carefully than life Transliteration: Ozhukkam Vizhuppan Tharalaan Ozhukkam Uyirinum Ompap Patum
Couplet: Searching, duly watching, learning, 'decorum' still we find; Man's only aid; toiling, guard thou this with watchful mind English Explanation: Let propriety of conduct be laboriously preserved and guarded; though one know and practise and excel in many virtues, that will be an eminent aid Transliteration: Parindhompik Kaakka Ozhukkam Therindhompith Therinum Aqdhe Thunai
Couplet: 'Decorum's' true nobility on earth; 'Indecorum's' issue is ignoble birth English Explanation: Propriety of conduct is true greatness of birth, and impropriety will sink into a mean birth Transliteration: Ozhukkam Utaimai Kutimai Izhukkam Izhindha Pirappaai Vitum
Couplet: Though he forget, the Brahman may regain his Vedic lore; Failing in 'decorum due,' birthright's gone for evermore English Explanation: A Brahman though he should forget the Vedas may recover it by reading; but, if he fail in propriety of conduct even his high birth will be destroyed Transliteration: Marappinum Oththuk Kolalaakum Paarppaan Pirappozhukkang Kundrak Ketum
Couplet: The envious soul in life no rich increase of blessing gains, So man of 'due decorum' void no dignity obtains English Explanation: Just as the envious man will be without wealth, so will the man of destitute of propriety of conduct be without greatness Transliteration: Azhukkaa Rutaiyaankan Aakkampondru Illai Ozhukka Milaankan Uyarvu
Couplet: The strong of soul no jot abate of 'strict decorum's' laws, Knowing that 'due decorum's' breach foulest disgrace will cause English Explanation: Those firm in mind will not slacken in their observance of the proprieties of life, knowing, as they do, the misery that flows from the transgression from them Transliteration: Ozhukkaththin Olkaar Uravor Izhukkaththin Edham Patupaak Karindhu
Couplet: 'Tis source of dignity when 'true decorum' is preserved; Who break 'decorum's' rules endure e'en censures undeserved English Explanation: From propriety of conduct men obtain greatness; from impropriety comes insufferable disgrace Transliteration: Ozhukkaththin Eydhuvar Menmai Izhukkaththin Eydhuvar Eydhaap Pazhi
Couplet: 'Decorum true' observed a seed of good will be; 'Decorum's breach' will sorrow yield eternally English Explanation: Propriety of conduct is the seed of virtue; impropriety will ever cause sorrow Transliteration: Nandrikku Viththaakum Nallozhukkam Theeyozhukkam Endrum Itumpai Tharum
Couplet: It cannot be that they who 'strict decorum's' law fulfil, E'en in forgetful mood, should utter words of ill English Explanation: Those who study propriety of conduct will not speak evil, even forgetfully Transliteration: Ozhukka Mutaiyavarkku Ollaave Theeya Vazhukkiyum Vaayaar Solal
Couplet: Who know not with the world in harmony to dwell, May many things have learned, but nothing well English Explanation: Those who know not how to act agreeably to the world, though they have learnt many things, are still ignorant Transliteration: Ulakaththotu Otta Ozhukal Palakatrum Kallaar Arivilaa Thaar