Couplet: Wealth of wealth is wealth acquired be ear attent; Wealth mid all wealth supremely excellent English Explanation: Wealth (gained) by the ear is wealth of wealth; that wealth is the chief of all wealth Transliteration: Selvaththut Selvanj Chevichchelvam Achchelvam Selvaththu Lellaan Thalai
Couplet: When 'tis no longer time the listening ear to feed With trifling dole of food supply the body's need English Explanation: When there is no food for the ear, give a little also to the stomach Transliteration: Sevikkuna Villaadha Pozhdhu Siridhu Vayitrukkum Eeyap Patum
Couplet: Who feed their ear with learned teachings rare, Are like the happy gods oblations rich who share English Explanation: Those who in this world enjoy instruction which is the food of the ear, are equal to the Gods, who enjoy the food of the sacrifices Transliteration: Seviyunavir Kelvi Yutaiyaar Aviyunavin Aandraaro Toppar Nilaththu
Couplet: Though learning none hath he, yet let him hear alway: In weakness this shall prove a staff and stay English Explanation: Although a man be without learning, let him listen (to the teaching of the learned); that will be to him a staff in adversity Transliteration: Katrila Naayinung Ketka Aqdhoruvarku Orkaththin Ootraan Thunai
Couplet: Like staff in hand of him in slippery ground who strays Are words from mouth of those who walk in righteous ways English Explanation: The words of the good are like a staff in a slippery place Transliteration: Izhukkal Utaiyuzhi Ootrukkol Atre Ozhukka Mutaiyaarvaaich Chol
Couplet: Let each man good things learn, for e'en as he Shall learn, he gains increase of perfect dignity English Explanation: Let a man listen, never so little, to good (instruction), even that will bring him great dignity Transliteration: Enaiththaanum Nallavai Ketka Anaiththaanum Aandra Perumai Tharum
Couplet: Not e'en through inadvertence speak they foolish word, With clear discerning mind who've learning's ample lessons heard English Explanation: Not even when they have imperfectly understood (a matter), will those men speak foolishly, who have profoundly studied and diligently listened (to instruction) Transliteration: Pizhaith Thunarndhum Pedhaimai Sollaa Rizhaiththunarn Theentiya Kelvi Yavar
Couplet: Where teaching hath not oped the learner's ear, The man may listen, but he scarce can hear English Explanation: The ear which has not been bored by instruction, although it hears, is deaf Transliteration: Ketpinung Kelaath Thakaiyave Kelviyaal Thotkap Pataadha Sevi
Couplet: 'Tis hard for mouth to utter gentle, modest word, When ears discourse of lore refined have never heard English Explanation: It is a rare thing to find modesty, a reverend mouth- with those who have not received choice instruction Transliteration: Nunangiya Kelviya Rallaar Vanangiya Vaayina Raadhal Aridhu
Couplet: His mouth can taste, but ear no taste of joy can give! What matter if he die, or prosperous live English Explanation: What does it matter whether those men live or die, who can judge of tastes by the mouth, and not by the ear ? Transliteration: Seviyir Suvaiyunaraa Vaayunarvin Maakkal Aviyinum Vaazhinum En?