Couplet: Say not, 'Tis hard', in weak, desponding hour, For strenuous effort gives prevailing power English Explanation: Yield not to the feebleness which says, "this is too difficult to be done"; labour will give the greatness (of mind) which is necessary (to do it) Transliteration: Arumai Utaiththendru Asaavaamai Ventum Perumai Muyarsi Tharum
Couplet: In action be thou, 'ware of act's defeat; The world leaves those who work leave incomplete English Explanation: Take care not to give up exertion in the midst of a work; the world will abandon those who abandon their unfinished work Transliteration: Vinaikkan Vinaiketal Ompal Vinaikkurai Theerndhaarin Theerndhandru Ulaku
Couplet: In strenuous effort doth reside The power of helping others: noble pride English Explanation: The lustre of munificence will dwell only with the dignity of laboriousness or efforts Transliteration: Thaalaanmai Ennum Thakaimaikkan Thangitre Velaanmai Ennunj Cherukku
Couplet: Beneficent intent in men by whom no strenuous work is wrought, Like battle-axe in sexless being's hand availeth nought English Explanation: The liberality of him, who does not labour, will fail, like the manliness of a hermaphrodite, who has a sword in its hand Transliteration: Thaalaanmai Illaadhaan Velaanmai Petikai Vaalaanmai Polak Ketum
Couplet: Whose heart delighteth not in pleasure, but in action finds delight, He wipes away his kinsmen's grief and stands the pillar of their might English Explanation: He who desires not pleasure, but desires labour, will be a pillar to sustain his relations, wiping away their sorrows Transliteration: Inpam Vizhaiyaan Vinaivizhaivaan Thankelir Thunpam Thutaiththoondrum Thoon
Couplet: Effort brings fortune's sure increase, Its absence brings to nothingness English Explanation: Labour will produce wealth; idleness will bring poverty Transliteration: Muyarsi Thiruvinai Aakkum Muyatrinmai Inmai Pukuththi Vitum
Couplet: In sluggishness is seen misfortune's lurid form, the wise declare; Where man unslothful toils, she of the lotus flower is there English Explanation: They say that the black Mudevi (the goddess of adversity) dwells with laziness, and the Latchmi (the goddess of prosperity) dwells with the labour of the industrious Transliteration: Matiyulaal Maamukati Enpa Matiyilaan Thaalulaan Thaamaraiyi Naal
Couplet: 'Tis no reproach unpropitious fate should ban; But not to do man's work is foul disgrace to man English Explanation: Adverse fate is no disgrace to any one; to be without exertion and without knowing what should be known, is disgrace Transliteration: Poriyinmai Yaarkkum Pazhiyandru Arivarindhu Aalvinai Inmai Pazhi
Couplet: Though fate-divine should make your labour vain; Effort its labour's sure reward will gain English Explanation: Although it be said that, through fate, it cannot be attained, yet labour, with bodily exertion, will yield its reward Transliteration: Theyvaththaan Aakaa Theninum Muyarsidhan Meyvaruththak Kooli Tharum
Couplet: Who strive with undismayed, unfaltering mind, At length shall leave opposing fate behind English Explanation: They who labour on, without fear and without fainting will see even fate (put) behind their back Transliteration: Oozhaiyum Uppakkam Kaanpar Ulaivindrith Thaazhaadhu Ugnatru Pavar