Couplet: With sinful act men cease to feel the dread of ill within, The excellent will dread the wanton pride of cherished sin English Explanation: Those who have experience of evil deeds will not fear, but the excellent will fear the pride of sin Transliteration: Theevinaiyaar Anjaar Vizhumiyaar Anjuvar Theevinai Ennum Serukku
Couplet: Since evils new from evils ever grow, Evil than fire works out more dreaded woe English Explanation: Because evil produces evil, therefore should evil be feared more than fire Transliteration: Theeyavai Theeya Payaththalaal Theeyavai Theeyinum Anjap Patum
Couplet: Even to those that hate make no return of ill; So shalt thou wisdom's highest law, 'tis said, fulfil English Explanation: So shalt thou wisdom's highest law, 'tis said, fulfil Transliteration: Arivinul Ellaan Thalaiyenpa Theeya Seruvaarkkum Seyyaa Vital
Couplet: Though good thy soul forget, plot not thy neighbour's fall, Thy plans shall 'virtue's Power' by ruin to thyself forestall English Explanation: Even though forgetfulness meditate not the ruin of another Virtue will meditate the ruin of him who thus meditates Transliteration: Marandhum Piranketu Soozharka Soozhin Aranjoozham Soozhndhavan Ketu
Couplet: Make not thy poverty a plea for ill; Thy evil deeds will make thee poorer still English Explanation: Commit not evil, saying, "I am poor": if you do, you will become poorer still Transliteration: Ilan Endru Theeyavai Seyyarka Seyyin Ilanaakum Matrum Peyarththu
Couplet: What ranks as evil spare to do, if thou would'st shun Affliction sore through ill to thee by others done English Explanation: Let him not do evil to others who desires not that sorrows should pursue him Transliteration: Theeppaala Thaanpirarkan Seyyarka Noippaala Thannai Atalventaa Thaan
Couplet: From every enmity incurred there is to 'scape, a way; The wrath of evil deeds will dog men's steps, and slay English Explanation: However great be the enmity men have incurred they may still live The enmity of sin will incessantly pursue and kill Transliteration: Enaippakai Yutraarum Uyvar Vinaippakai Veeyaadhu Pinsendru Atum
Couplet: Man's shadow dogs his steps where'er he wends; Destruction thus on sinful deeds attends English Explanation: Destruction will dwell at the heels of those who commit evil even as their shadow that leaves them not Transliteration: Theeyavai Seydhaar Ketudhal Nizhaldhannai Veeyaadhu Atiurain Thatru
Couplet: Beware, if to thyself thyself is dear, Lest thou to aught that ranks as ill draw near English Explanation: If a man love himself, let him not commit any sin however small Transliteration: Thannaiththaan Kaadhala Naayin Enaiththondrum Thunnarka Theevinaip Paal
Couplet: The man, to devious way of sin that never turned aside, From ruin rests secure, whatever ills betide English Explanation: Know ye that he is freed from destruction who commits no evil, going to neither side of the right path Transliteration: Arungetan Enpadhu Arika Marungotith Theevinai Seyyaan Enin