Gratitude

Assistance given by those who ne'er received our aid,
Is debt by gift of heaven and earth but poorly paid

Explanation
(The gift of) heaven and earth is not an equivalent for a benefit which is conferred where none had been received.

Tamil Transliteration
Seyyaamal Seydha Udhavikku Vaiyakamum
Vaanakamum Aatral Aridhu.

A timely benefit, -though thing of little worth,
The gift itself, -in excellence transcends the earth

Explanation
A favour conferred in the time of need, though it be small (in itself), is (in value) much larger than the world.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaalaththi Naarseydha Nandri Siridheninum
Gnaalaththin Maanap Peridhu.

Kindness shown by those who weigh not what the return may be:
When you ponder right its merit, 'Tis vaster than the sea

Explanation
If we weigh the excellence of a benefit which is conferred without weighing the return, it is larger than the sea.

Tamil Transliteration
Payandhookkaar Seydha Udhavi Nayandhookkin
Nanmai Katalin Peridhu.

Each benefit to those of actions' fruit who rightly deem,
Though small as millet-seed, as palm-tree vast will seem

Explanation
Though the benefit conferred be as small as a millet seed, those who know its advantage will consider it as large as a palmyra fruit.

Tamil Transliteration
Thinaiththunai Nandri Seyinum Panaiththunaiyaak
Kolvar Payandheri Vaar.

The kindly aid's extent is of its worth no measure true;
Its worth is as the worth of him to whom the act you do

Explanation
The benefit itself is not the measure of the benefit; the worth of those who have received it is its measure.

Tamil Transliteration
Udhavi Varaiththandru Udhavi Udhavi
Seyappattaar Saalpin Varaiththu.

Kindness of men of stainless soul remember evermore
Forsake thou never friends who were thy stay in sorrow sore

Explanation
Forsake not the friendship of those who have been your staff in adversity Forget not be benevolence of the blameless.

Tamil Transliteration
Maravarka Maasatraar Kenmai Thuravarka
Thunpaththul Thuppaayaar Natpu.

Through all seven worlds, in seven-fold birth, Remains in mem'ry of the wise
Friendship of those who wiped on earth, The tears of sorrow from their eyes

Explanation
(The wise) will remember throughout their seven-fold births the love of those who have wiped away their affliction.

Tamil Transliteration
Ezhumai Ezhupirappum Ulluvar Thangan
Vizhuman Thutaiththavar Natpu.

'Tis never good to let the thought of good things done thee pass away;
Of things not good, 'tis good to rid thy memory that very day

Explanation
It is not good to forget a benefit; it is good to forget an injury even in the very moment (in which it is inflicted).

Tamil Transliteration
Nandri Marappadhu Nandrandru Nandralladhu
Andre Marappadhu Nandru.

Effaced straightway is deadliest injury,
By thought of one kind act in days gone by

Explanation
Though one inflict an injury great as murder, it will perish before the thought of one benefit (formerly) conferred.

Tamil Transliteration
Kondranna Innaa Seyinum Avarseydha
Ondrunandru Ullak Ketum.

Who every good have killed, may yet destruction flee;
Who 'benefit' has killed, that man shall ne'er 'scape free

Explanation
He who has killed every virtue may yet escape; there is no escape for him who has killed a benefit.

Tamil Transliteration
Ennandri Kondraarkkum Uyvuntaam Uyvillai
Seynnandri Kondra Makarku.