Couplet: Men pure in heart, who know of words the varied force, Should to their audience known adapt their well-arranged discourse English Explanation: Let the pure who know the arrangement of words speak with deliberation after ascertaining (the nature of) the court (then assembled) Transliteration: Avaiyarinadhu Aaraaindhu Solluka Sollin Thokaiyarindha Thooimai Yavar
Couplet: Good men to whom the arts of eloquence are known, Should seek occasion meet, and say what well they've made their own English Explanation: Let the good who know the uses of words speak with a clear knowledge after ascertaining the time (suited to the court) Transliteration: Itaidherindhu Nankunarndhu Solluka Sollin Nataidherindha Nanmai Yavar
Couplet: Unversed in councils, who essays to speak Knows not the way of suasive words,- and all is weak English Explanation: Those who undertake to speak without knowing the (nature of the) court are ignorant of the quality of words as well as devoid of the power (of learning) Transliteration: Avaiyariyaar Sollalmer Kolpavar Sollin Vakaiyariyaar Valladhooum Il
Couplet: Before the bright ones shine as doth the light Before the dull ones be as purest stucco white English Explanation: Ministers should be lights in the assembly of the enlightned, but assume the pure whiteness of mortar (ignorance) in that of fools Transliteration: Oliyaarmun Olliya Raadhal Veliyaarmun Vaansudhai Vannam Kolal
Couplet: Midst all good things the best is modest grace, That speaks not first before the elders' face English Explanation: The modesty by which one does not rush forward and speak in (an assembly of) superiors is the best among all (one's) good qualities Transliteration: Nandrendra Vatrullum Nandre Mudhuvarul Mundhu Kilavaach Cherivu
Couplet: As in the way one tottering falls, is slip before The men whose minds are filled with varied lore English Explanation: (For a minister) to blunder in the presence of those who have acquired a vast store of learning and know (the value thereof) is like a good man stumbling (and falling away) from the path (of virtue) Transliteration: Aatrin Nilaidhalarn Thatre Viyanpulam Etrunarvaar Munnar Izhukku
Couplet: The learning of the learned sage shines bright To those whose faultless skill can value it aright English Explanation: The learning of those who have read and understood (much) will shine in the assembly of those who faultlessly examine (the nature of) words Transliteration: Katrarindhaar Kalvi Vilangum Kasatarach Choldheridhal Vallaar Akaththu
Couplet: To speak where understanding hearers you obtain, Is sprinkling water on the fields of growing grain English Explanation: Lecturing to those who have the ability to understand (for themselves) is like watering a bed of plants that are growing (of themselves) Transliteration: Unarva Thutaiyaarmun Sollal Valarvadhan Paaththiyul Neersorin Thatru
Couplet: In councils of the good, who speak good things with penetrating power, In councils of the mean, let them say nought, e'en in oblivious hour English Explanation: Those who are able to speak good things impressively in an assembly of the good should not even forgetfully speak them in that of the low Transliteration: Pullavaiyul Pochchaandhum Sollarka Nallavaiyul Nankusalach Chollu Vaar
Couplet: Ambrosia in the sewer spilt, is word Spoken in presence of the alien herd English Explanation: To utter (a good word) in the assembly of those who are of inferior rank is like dropping nectar on the ground Transliteration: Anganaththul Ukka Amizhdhatraal Thanganaththaar Allaarmun Kotti Kolal