Couplet: See that thy life the praise of generous gifts obtain; Save this for living man exists no real gain English Explanation: Give to the poor and live with praise There is no greater profit to man than that Transliteration: Eedhal Isaipata Vaazhdhal Adhuvalladhu Oodhiyam Illai Uyirkku
Couplet: The speech of all that speak agrees to crown The men that give to those that ask, with fair renown English Explanation: Whatsoever is spoken in the world will abide as praise upon that man who gives alms to the poor Transliteration: Uraippaar Uraippavai Ellaam Irappaarkkondru Eevaarmel Nirkum Pukazh
Couplet: Save praise alone that soars on high, Nought lives on earth that shall not die English Explanation: There is nothing that stands forth in the world imperishable, except fame, exalted in solitary greatness Transliteration: Ondraa Ulakaththu Uyarndha Pukazhallaal Pondraadhu Nirpadhon Ril
Couplet: If men do virtuous deeds by world-wide ample glory crowned, The heavens will cease to laud the sage for other gifts renowned English Explanation: If one has acquired extensive fame within the limits of this earth, the world of the Gods will no longer praise those sages who have attained that world Transliteration: Nilavarai Neelpukazh Aatrin Pulavaraip Potraadhu Puththel Ulaku
Couplet: Loss that is gain, and death of life's true bliss fulfilled, Are fruits which only wisdom rare can yield English Explanation: Prosperity to the body of fame, resulting in poverty to the body of flesh and the stability to the former arising from the death of the latter, are achievable only by the wise Transliteration: Naththampol Ketum Uladhaakum Saakkaatum Viththakark Kallaal Aridhu
Couplet: If man you walk the stage, appear adorned with glory's grace; Save glorious you can shine, 'twere better hide your face English Explanation: If you are born (in this world), be born with qualities conductive to fame From those who are destitute of them it will be better not to be born Transliteration: Thondrin Pukazhotu Thondruka Aqdhilaar Thondralin Thondraamai Nandru
Couplet: If you your days will spend devoid of goodly fame, When men despise, why blame them? You've yourself to blame English Explanation: Why do those who cannot live with praise, grieve those who despise them, instead of grieving themselves for their own inability Transliteration: Pukazhpata Vaazhaadhaar Thannovaar Thammai Ikazhvaarai Novadhu Evan?
Couplet: Fame is virtue's child, they say; if, then, You childless live, you live the scorn of men English Explanation: Not to beget fame will be esteemed a disgrace by the wise in this world Transliteration: Vasaiyenpa Vaiyaththaark Kellaam Isaiyennum Echcham Peraaa Vitin
Couplet: The blameless fruits of fields' increase will dwindle down, If earth the burthen bear of men without renown English Explanation: The ground which supports a body without fame will diminish in its rich produce Transliteration: Vasaiyilaa Vanpayan Kundrum Isaiyilaa Yaakkai Poruththa Nilam
Couplet: Who live without reproach, them living men we deem; Who live without renown, live not, though living men they seem English Explanation: Those live who live without disgrace Those who live without fame live not Transliteration: Vasaiyozhiya Vaazhvaare Vaazhvaar Isaiyozhiya Vaazhvaare Vaazhaa Thavar