Energy

'Tis energy gives men o'er that they own a true control;
They nothing own who own not energy of soul

Explanation
Energy makes out the man of property; as for those who are destitute of it, do they (really) possess what they possess ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Utaiyar Enappatuvadhu Ookkam Aqdhillaar
Utaiyadhu Utaiyaro Matru.

The wealth of mind man owns a real worth imparts,
Material wealth man owns endures not, utterly departs

Explanation
The possession of (energy of) mind is true property; the possession of wealth passes away and abides not.

Tamil Transliteration
Ullam Utaimai Utaimai Porulutaimai
Nillaadhu Neengi Vitum.

'Lost is our wealth,' they utter not this cry distressed,
The men of firm concentred energy of soul possessed

Explanation
They who are possessed of enduring energy will not trouble themselves, saying, "we have lost our property.".

Tamil Transliteration
Aakkam Izhandhemendru Allaavaar Ookkam
Oruvandham Kaiththutai Yaar.

The man of energy of soul inflexible,
Good fortune seeks him out and comes a friend to dwell

Explanation
Wealth will find its own way to the man of unfailing energy.

Tamil Transliteration
Aakkam Adharvinaaich Chellum Asaivilaa
Ookka Mutaiyaa Nuzhai.

With rising flood the rising lotus flower its stem unwinds;
The dignity of men is measured by their minds

Explanation
The stalks of water-flowers are proportionate to the depth of water; so is men's greatness proportionate to their minds.

Tamil Transliteration
Vellath Thanaiya Malarneettam Maandhardham
Ullath Thanaiyadhu Uyarvu.

Whate'er you ponder, let your aim be loftly still,
Fate cannot hinder always, thwart you as it will

Explanation
In all that a king thinks of, let him think of his greatness; and if it should be thrust from him (by fate), it will have the nature of not being thrust from him.

Tamil Transliteration
Ulluva Thellaam Uyarvullal Matradhu
Thallinun Thallaamai Neerththu.

The men of lofty mind quail not in ruin's fateful hour,
The elephant retains his dignity mind arrows' deadly shower

Explanation
The strong minded will not faint, even when all is lost; the elephant stands firm, even when wounded by a shower of arrows.

Tamil Transliteration
Sidhaivitaththu Olkaar Uravor Pudhaiyampir
Pattuppaa Toondrung Kaliru.

The soulless man can never gain
Th' ennobling sense of power with men

Explanation
Those who have no (greatness of) mind, will not acquire the joy of saying in the world, "we have excercised liaberality".

Tamil Transliteration
Ullam Ilaadhavar Eydhaar Ulakaththu
Valliyam Ennunj Cherukku.

Huge bulk of elephant with pointed tusk all armed,
When tiger threatens shrinks away alarmed

Explanation
Although the elephant has a large body, and a sharp tusk, yet it fears the attack of the tiger.

Tamil Transliteration
Pariyadhu Koorngottadhu Aayinum Yaanai
Veruum Pulidhaak Kurin.

Firmness of soul in man is real excellance;
Others are trees, their human form a mere pretence

Explanation
Energy is mental wealth; those men who are destitute of it are only trees in the form of men.

Tamil Transliteration
Uramoruvarku Ulla Verukkaiaq Thillaar
Marammakka Laadhale Veru.