Couplet: Duty demands no recompense; to clouds of heaven, By men on earth, what answering gift is given English Explanation: Benevolence seeks not a return. What does the world give back to the clouds ? Transliteration: Kaimmaaru Ventaa Katappaatu Maarimaattu En Aatrung Kollo Ulaku
Couplet: The worthy say, when wealth rewards their toil-spent hours, For uses of beneficence alone 'tis ours English Explanation: All the wealth acquired with perseverance by the worthy is for the exercise of benevolence Transliteration: Thaalaatrith Thandha Porulellaam Thakkaarkku Velaanmai Seydhar Poruttu
Couplet: To 'due beneficence' no equal good we know, Amid the happy gods, or in this world below English Explanation: It is difficult to obtain another good equal to benevolence either in this world or in that of the gods Transliteration: Puththe Lulakaththum Eentum Peralaridhe Oppuravin Nalla Pira
Couplet: Who knows what's human life's befitting grace, He lives; the rest 'mongst dead men have their place English Explanation: He truly lives who knows (and discharges) the proper duties (of benevolence) He who knows them not will be reckoned among the dead Transliteration: Oththa Tharavon Uyirvaazhvaan Matraiyaan Seththaarul Vaikkap Patum
Couplet: The wealth of men who love the 'fitting way,' the truly wise, Is as when water fills the lake that village needs supplies English Explanation: The wealth of that man of eminent knowledge who desires to exercise the benevolence approved of by the world, is like the full waters of a city-tank Transliteration: Ooruni Neernirain Thatre Ulakavaam Perari Vaalan Thiru
Couplet: A tree that fruits in th' hamlet's central mart, Is wealth that falls to men of liberal heart English Explanation: The wealth of a man (possessed of the virtue) of benevolence is like the ripening of a fruitful tree in the midst of a town Transliteration: Payanmaram Ulloorp Pazhuththatraal Selvam Nayanutai Yaankan Patin
Couplet: Unfailing tree that healing balm distils from every part, Is ample wealth that falls to him of large and noble heart English Explanation: If wealth be in the possession of a man who has the great excellence (of benevolence), it is like a tree which as a medicine is an infallible cure for disease Transliteration: Marundhaakith Thappaa Maraththatraal Selvam Perundhakai Yaankan Patin
Couplet: E'en when resources fall, they weary not of 'kindness due,'- They to whom Duty's self appears in vision true English Explanation: The wise who know what is duty will not scant their benevolence even when they are without wealth Transliteration: Itanil Paruvaththum Oppuravirku Olkaar Katanari Kaatchi Yavar
Couplet: The kindly-hearted man is poor in this alone, When power of doing deeds of goodness he finds none English Explanation: The poverty of a benevolent man, is nothing but his inability to exercise the same Transliteration: Nayanutaiyaan Nalkoorndhaa Naadhal Seyumneera Seyyaadhu Amaikalaa Vaaru
Couplet: Though by 'beneficence,' the loss of all should come, 'Twere meet man sold himself, and bought it with the sum English Explanation: If it be said that loss will result from benevolence, such loss is worth being procured even by the sale of one's self Transliteration: Oppuravi Naalvarum Ketenin Aqdhoruvan Vitrukkol Thakka Thutaiththu