Couplet: As friends the men who virtue know, and riper wisdom share, Their worth weighed well, the king should choose with care English Explanation: Let (a king) ponder well its value, and secure the friendship of men of virtue and of mature knowledge Transliteration: Aranarindhu Mooththa Arivutaiyaar Kenmai Thiranarindhu Therndhu Kolal
Couplet: Cherish the all-accomplished men as friends, Whose skill the present ill removes, from coming ill defends English Explanation: Let (a king) procure and kindly care for men who can overcome difficulties when they occur, and guard against them before they happen Transliteration: Utranoi Neekki Uraaamai Murkaakkum Petriyaarp Penik Kolal
Couplet: To cherish men of mighty soul, and make them all their own, Of kingly treasures rare, as rarest gift is known English Explanation: To cherish great men and make them his own, is the most difficult of all difficult things Transliteration: Ariyavatru Lellaam Aridhe Periyaaraip Penith Thamaraak Kolal
Couplet: To live with men of greatness that their own excels, As cherished friends, is greatest power that with a monarch dwells English Explanation: So to act as to make those men, his own, who are greater than himself is of all powers the highest Transliteration: Thammir Periyaar Thamaraa Ozhukudhal Vanmaiyu Lellaan Thalai
Couplet: The king, since counsellors are monarch's eyes, Should counsellors select with counsel wise English Explanation: As a king must use his ministers as eyes (in managing his kingdom), let him well examine their character and qualifications before he engages them Transliteration: Soozhvaarkan Naaka Ozhukalaan Mannavan Soozhvaaraik Soozhndhu Kolal
Couplet: The king, who knows to live with worthy men allied, Has nought to fear from any foeman's pride English Explanation: There will be nothing left for enemies to do, against him who has the power of acting (so as to secure) the fellowship of worthy men Transliteration: Thakkaa Rinaththanaaith Thaanozhuka Vallaanaich Chetraar Seyakkitandha Thil
Couplet: What power can work his fall, who faithful ministers Employs, that thunder out reproaches when he errs English Explanation: Who are great enough to destroy him who has servants that have power to rebuke him ? Transliteration: Itikkun Thunaiyaarai Yaalvarai Yaare Ketukkun Thakaimai Yavar
Couplet: The king with none to censure him, bereft of safeguards all, Though none his ruin work, shall surely ruined fall English Explanation: The king, who is without the guard of men who can rebuke him, will perish, even though there be no one to destroy him Transliteration: Itippaarai Illaadha Emaraa Mannan Ketuppaa Rilaanung Ketum
Couplet: Who owns no principal, can have no gain of usury; Who lacks support of friends, knows no stability English Explanation: 56 There can be no gain to those who have no capital; and in like manner there can be no permanence to Transliteration: Mudhalilaarkku Oodhiya Millai Madhalaiyaanjjch Aarpilaark Killai Nilai
Couplet: Than hate of many foes incurred, works greater woe Ten-fold, of worthy men the friendship to forego English Explanation: It is tenfold more injurious to abandon the friendship of the good, than to incur the hatred of the many Transliteration: Pallaar Pakai Kolalir Paththatuththa Theemaiththe Nallaar Thotarkai Vital