Couplet: Of household dignity the lustre beaming bright, Flickers and dies when sluggish foulness dims its light English Explanation: By the darkness, of idleness, the indestructible lamp of family (rank) will be extinguished Transliteration: 601 Kutiyennum Kundraa Vilakkam Matiyennum Maasoora Maaindhu Ketum
Couplet: Let indolence, the death of effort, die, If you'd uphold your household's dignity English Explanation: Let those, who desire that their family may be illustrious, put away all idleness from their conduct Transliteration: Matiyai Matiyaa Ozhukal Kutiyaik Kutiyaaka Ventu Pavar
Couplet: Who fosters indolence within his breast, the silly elf! The house from which he springs shall perish ere himself English Explanation: The (lustre of the) family of the ignorant man, who acts under the influence of destructive laziness will perish, even before he is dead Transliteration: Matimatik Kontozhukum Pedhai Pirandha Kutimatiyum Thanninum Mundhu
Couplet: His family decays, and faults unheeded thrive, Who, sunk in sloth, for noble objects doth not strive English Explanation: Family (greatness) will be destroyed, and faults will increase, in those men who give way to laziness, and put forth no dignified exertions Transliteration: Kutimatindhu Kutram Perukum Matimatindhu Maanta Ugnatri Lavarkku
Couplet: Delay, oblivion, sloth, and sleep: these four Are pleasure-boat to bear the doomed to ruin's shore English Explanation: Procrastination, forgetfulness, idleness, and sleep, these four things, form the vessel which is desired by those destined to destruction Transliteration: Netuneer Maravi Matidhuyil Naankum Ketuneeraar Kaamak Kalan
Couplet: Though lords of earth unearned possessions gain, The slothful ones no yield of good obtain English Explanation: It is a rare thing for the idle, even when possessed of the riches of kings who ruled over the whole earth, to derive any great benefit from it Transliteration: Patiyutaiyaar Patramaindhak Kannum Matiyutaiyaar Maanpayan Eydhal Aridhu
Couplet: Who hug their sloth, nor noble works attempt, Shall bear reproofs and words of just contempt English Explanation: Those who through idleness, and do not engage themselves in dignified exertion, will subject Transliteration: Itipurindhu Ellunj Chol Ketpar Matipurindhu Maanta Ugnatri Lavar
Couplet: If sloth a dwelling find mid noble family, Bondsmen to them that hate them shall they be English Explanation: If idleness take up its abode in a king of high birth, it will make him a slave of his enemies Transliteration: Matimai Kutimaikkan Thangindhan Onnaarkku Atimai Pukuththi Vitum
Couplet: Who changes slothful habits saves Himself from all that household rule depraves English Explanation: When a man puts away idleness, the reproach which has come upon himself and his family will disappear Transliteration: Kutiyaanmai Yulvandha Kutram Oruvan Matiyaanmai Maatrak Ketum
Couplet: The king whose life from sluggishness is rid, Shall rule o'er all by foot of mighty god bestrid English Explanation: The king who never gives way to idleness will obtain entire possession of (the whole earth) passed over by him who measured (the worlds) with His foot Transliteration: Matiyilaa Mannavan Eydhum Atiyalandhaan Thaaaya Thellaam Orungu