Couplet: True wisdom wards off woes, A circling fortress high; Its inner strength man's eager foes Unshaken will defy English Explanation: Wisdom is a weapon to ward off destruction; it is an inner fortress which enemies cannot destroy Transliteration: 421 Arivatrang Kaakkung Karuvi Seruvaarkkum Ullazhikka Laakaa Aran
Couplet: Wisdom restrains, nor suffers mind to wander where it would; From every evil calls it back, and guides in way of good English Explanation: Not to permit the mind to go where it lists, to keep it from evil, and to employ it in good, this is wisdom Transliteration: Sendra Itaththaal Selavitaa Theedhoreei Nandrinpaal Uyppa Tharivu
Couplet: Though things diverse from divers sages' lips we learn, 'Tis wisdom's part in each the true thing to discern English Explanation: To discern the truth in every thing, by whomsoever spoken, is wisdom Transliteration: Epporul Yaaryaarvaaik Ketpinum Apporul Meypporul Kaanpa Tharivu
Couplet: Wisdom hath use of lucid speech, words that acceptance win, And subtle sense of other men's discourse takes in English Explanation: To speak so as that the meaning may easily enter the mind of the hearer, and to discern the subtlest thought which may lie hidden in the words of others, this is wisdom Transliteration: Enporula Vaakach Chelachchollith Thaanpirarvaai Nunporul Kaanpa Tharivu
Couplet: Wisdom embraces frank the world, to no caprice exposed; Unlike the lotus flower, now opened wide, now petals strictly closed English Explanation: To secure the friendship of the great is true wisdom; it is (also) wisdom to keep (that friendship unchanged, and) not opening and closing (like the lotus flower) Transliteration: Ulakam Thazheeiya Thotpam Malardhalum Koompalum Illa Tharivu
Couplet: As dwells the world, so with the world to dwell In harmony- this is to wisely live and well English Explanation: To live as the world lives, is wisdom Transliteration: Evva Thuraivadhu Ulakam Ulakaththotu Avva Thuraiva Tharivu
Couplet: The wise discern, the foolish fail to see, And minds prepare for things about to be English Explanation: The wise are those who know beforehand what will happen; those who do not know this are the unwise Transliteration: Arivutaiyaar Aava Tharivaar Arivilaar Aqdhari Kallaa Thavar
Couplet: Folly meets fearful ills with fearless heart; To fear where cause of fear exists is wisdom's part English Explanation: Not to fear what ought to be feared, is folly; it is the work of the wise to fear what should be feared Transliteration: Anjuva Thanjaamai Pedhaimai Anjuvadhu Anjal Arivaar Thozhil
Couplet: The wise with watchful soul who coming ills foresee; From coming evil's dreaded shock are free English Explanation: No terrifying calamity will happen to the wise, who (foresee) and guard against coming evils Transliteration: Edhiradhaak Kaakkum Arivinaark Killai Adhira Varuvadhor Noi
Couplet: The wise is rich, with ev'ry blessing blest; The fool is poor, of everything possessed English Explanation: Those who possess wisdom, possess every thing; those who have not wisdom, whatever they may possess, have nothing Transliteration: Arivutaiyaar Ellaa Mutaiyaar Arivilaar Ennutaiya Renum Ilar