Couplet: Though virtuous words his lips speak not, and all his deeds are ill If neighbour he defame not, there's good within him still English Explanation: Though one do not even speak of virtue and live in sin, it will be well if it be said of him "he does not backbite." Transliteration: Arangooraan Alla Seyinum Oruvan Purangooraan Endral Inidhu
Couplet: Than he who virtue scorns, and evil deeds performs, more vile, Is he that slanders friend, then meets him with false smile English Explanation: To smile deceitfully (in another's presence) after having reviled him to his destruction (behind his back) is a greater evil than the commission of (every other) sin and the destruction of (every) virtue Transliteration: Aranazheei Allavai Seydhalin Theedhe Puranazheeip Poiththu Nakai
Couplet: 'Tis greater gain of virtuous good for man to die, Than live to slander absent friend, and falsely praise when nigh English Explanation: Death rather than life will confer upon the deceitful backbiter the profit which (the treatises on) virtue point out Transliteration: Purangoorip Poiththuyir Vaazhdhalin Saadhal Arangootrum Aakkath Tharum
Couplet: In presence though unkindly words you speak, say not In absence words whose ill result exceeds your thought English Explanation: Though you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it Transliteration: Kannindru Kannarach Chollinum Sollarka Munnindru Pinnokkaach Chol
Couplet: The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames, 'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims English Explanation: The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back Transliteration: Aranjollum Nenjaththaan Anmai Puranjollum Punmaiyaar Kaanap Patum
Couplet: Who on his neighbours' sins delights to dwell, The story of his sins, culled out with care, the world will tell English Explanation: The character of the faults of that man who publishes abroad the faults of others will be sought out and published Transliteration: Piranpazhi Kooruvaan Thanpazhi Yullum Thirandherindhu Koorap Patum
Couplet: With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say, Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away English Explanation: Those who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by back-biting estrange even their relatives Transliteration: Pakachchollik Kelirp Pirippar Nakachcholli Natpaatal Thetraa Thavar
Couplet: Whose nature bids them faults of closest friends proclaim What mercy will they show to other men's good name English Explanation: What will those not do to strangers whose nature leads them to publish abroad the faults of their intimate friends ? Transliteration: Thunniyaar Kutramum Thootrum Marapinaar Ennaikol Edhilaar Maattu
Couplet: 'Tis charity, I ween, that makes the earth sustain their load Who, neighbours' absence watching, tales or slander tell abroad English Explanation: The world through charity supports the weight of those who reproach others observing their absence Transliteration: Arannokki Aatrungol Vaiyam Purannokkip Punsol Uraippaan Porai
Couplet: If each his own, as neighbours' faults would scan, Could any evil hap to living man English Explanation: If they observed their own faults as they observe the faults of others, would any evil happen to men ? Transliteration: Edhilaar Kutrampol Thangutrang Kaankirpin Theedhunto Mannum Uyirkku