Couplet: Wealth-giving fate power of unflinching effort brings; From fate that takes away idle remissness springs English Explanation: Perseverance comes from a prosperous fate, and idleness from an adverse fate Transliteration: Aakoozhaal Thondrum Asaivinmai Kaipporul Pokoozhaal Thondrum Mati
Couplet: The fate that loss ordains makes wise men's wisdom foolishness; The fate that gain bestows with ampler powers will wisdom bless English Explanation: An adverse fate produces folly, and a prosperous fate produces enlarged knowledge Transliteration: Pedhaip Patukkum Izhavoozh Arivakatrum Aakaloozh Utrak Katai
Couplet: In subtle learning manifold though versed man be, 'The wisdom, truly his, will gain supremacy English Explanation: Although (a man) may study the most polished treatises, the knowledge which fate has decreed to him will still prevail Transliteration: Nunniya Noolpala Karpinum Matrundhan Unmai Yarive Mikum
Couplet: Two fold the fashion of the world: some live in fortune's light; While other some have souls in wisdom's radiance bright English Explanation: There are (through fate) two different natures in the world, hence the difference (observable in men) in (their acquisition of) wealth, and in their attainment of knowledge Transliteration: Iruveru Ulakaththu Iyarkai Thiruveru Thelliya Raadhalum Veru
Couplet: All things that good appear will oft have ill success; All evil things prove good for gain of happiness English Explanation: In the acquisition of property, every thing favourable becomes unfavourable, and (on the other hand) everything unfavourable becomes favourable, (through the power of fate) Transliteration: Nallavai Ellaaan Theeyavaam Theeyavum Nallavaam Selvam Seyarku
Couplet: Things not your own will yield no good, howe'er you guard with pain; Your own, howe'er you scatter them abroad, will yours remain English Explanation: Whatever is not conferred by fate cannot be preserved although it be guarded with most painful care; and that, which fate has made his, cannot be lost, although one should even take it and throw it away Transliteration: Pariyinum Aakaavaam Paalalla Uyththuch Choriyinum Pokaa Thama
Couplet: Save as the 'sharer' shares to each in due degree, To those who millions store enjoyment scarce can be English Explanation: Even those who gather together millions will only enjoy them, as it has been determined by the disposer (of all things) Transliteration: Vakuththaan Vakuththa Vakaiyallaal Koti Thokuththaarkku Thuyththal Aridhu
Couplet: The destitute with ascetics merit share, If fate to visit with predestined ills would spare English Explanation: The destitute will renounce desire (and become ascetics), if (fate) do not make them suffer the hindrances to which they are liable, and they pass away Transliteration: Thurappaarman Thuppura Villaar Urarpaala Oottaa Kazhiyu Menin
Couplet: When good things come, men view them all as gain; When evils come, why then should they complain English Explanation: How is it that those, who are pleased with good fortune, trouble themselves when evil comes, (since both are equally the decree of fate) ? Transliteration: Nandraangaal Nallavaak Kaanpavar Andraangaal Allar Patuva Thevan?
Couplet: What powers so great as those of Destiny? Man's skill Some other thing contrives; but fate's beforehand still English Explanation: What is stronger than fate ? If we think of an expedient (to avert it), it will itself be with us before (the thought) Transliteration: Oozhir Peruvali Yaavula Matrondru Soozhinun Thaanmun Thurum