Couplet: 'Tis energy gives men o'er that they own a true control; They nothing own who own not energy of soul English Explanation: Energy makes out the man of property; as for those who are destitute of it, do they (really) possess what they possess ? Transliteration: Utaiyar Enappatuvadhu Ookkam Aqdhillaar Utaiyadhu Utaiyaro Matru
Couplet: The wealth of mind man owns a real worth imparts, Material wealth man owns endures not, utterly departs English Explanation: The possession of (energy of) mind is true property; the possession of wealth passes away and abides not Transliteration: Ullam Utaimai Utaimai Porulutaimai Nillaadhu Neengi Vitum
Couplet: 'Lost is our wealth,' they utter not this cry distressed, The men of firm concentred energy of soul possessed English Explanation: They who are possessed of enduring energy will not trouble themselves, saying, "we have lost our property." Transliteration: Aakkam Izhandhemendru Allaavaar Ookkam Oruvandham Kaiththutai Yaar
Couplet: The man of energy of soul inflexible, Good fortune seeks him out and comes a friend to dwell English Explanation: Wealth will find its own way to the man of unfailing energy Transliteration: Aakkam Adharvinaaich Chellum Asaivilaa Ookka Mutaiyaa Nuzhai
Couplet: With rising flood the rising lotus flower its stem unwinds; The dignity of men is measured by their minds English Explanation: The stalks of water-flowers are proportionate to the depth of water; so is men's greatness proportionate to their minds Transliteration: Vellath Thanaiya Malarneettam Maandhardham Ullath Thanaiyadhu Uyarvu
Couplet: Whate'er you ponder, let your aim be loftly still, Fate cannot hinder always, thwart you as it will English Explanation: In all that a king thinks of, let him think of his greatness; and if it should be thrust from him (by fate), it will have the nature of not being thrust from him Transliteration: Ulluva Thellaam Uyarvullal Matradhu Thallinun Thallaamai Neerththu
Couplet: The men of lofty mind quail not in ruin's fateful hour, The elephant retains his dignity mind arrows' deadly shower English Explanation: The strong minded will not faint, even when all is lost; the elephant stands firm, even when wounded by a shower of arrows Transliteration: Sidhaivitaththu Olkaar Uravor Pudhaiyampir Pattuppaa Toondrung Kaliru
Couplet: The soulless man can never gain Th' ennobling sense of power with men English Explanation: Those who have no (greatness of) mind, will not acquire the joy of saying in the world, "we have excercised liaberality" Transliteration: Ullam Ilaadhavar Eydhaar Ulakaththu Valliyam Ennunj Cherukku
Couplet: Huge bulk of elephant with pointed tusk all armed, When tiger threatens shrinks away alarmed English Explanation: Although the elephant has a large body, and a sharp tusk, yet it fears the attack of the tiger Transliteration: Pariyadhu Koorngottadhu Aayinum Yaanai Veruum Pulidhaak Kurin
Couplet: Firmness of soul in man is real excellance; Others are trees, their human form a mere pretence English Explanation: Energy is mental wealth; those men who are destitute of it are only trees in the form of men Transliteration: Uramoruvarku Ulla Verukkaiaq Thillaar Marammakka Laadhale Veru