Honour

Though linked to splendours man no otherwise may gain,
Reject each act that may thine honour's clearness stain

Explanation
Actions that would degrade (one's) family should not be done; though they may be so important that not doing them would end in death.

Tamil Transliteration
Indri Amaiyaach Chirappina Aayinum
Kundra Varupa Vital.

Who seek with glory to combine honour's untarnished fame,
Do no inglorious deeds, though men accord them glory's name

Explanation
Those who desire (to maintain their) honour, will surely do nothing dishonourable, even for the sake of fame.

Tamil Transliteration
Seerinum Seeralla Seyyaare Seerotu
Peraanmai Ventu Pavar.

Bow down thy soul, with increase blest, in happy hour;
Lift up thy heart, when stript of all by fortune's power

Explanation
In great prosperity humility is becoming; dignity, in great adversity.

Tamil Transliteration
Perukkaththu Ventum Panidhal Siriya
Surukkaththu Ventum Uyarvu.

Like hairs from off the head that fall to earth,
When fall'n from high estate are men of noble birth

Explanation
They who have fallen from their (high) position are like the hair which has fallen from the head.

Tamil Transliteration
Thalaiyin Izhindha Mayiranaiyar Maandhar
Nilaiyin Izhindhak Katai.

If meanness, slight as 'abrus' grain, by men be wrought,
Though like a hill their high estate, they sink to nought

Explanation
Even those who are exalted like a hill will be thought low, if they commit deeds that are debasing.

Tamil Transliteration
Kundrin Anaiyaarum Kundruvar Kundruva
Kundri Anaiya Seyin.

It yields no praise, nor to the land of Gods throws wide the gate:
Why follow men who scorn, and at their bidding wait

Explanation
Why follow men who scorn, and at their bidding wait?.

Tamil Transliteration
Pukazhindraal Puththelnaattu Uyyaadhaal Enmatru
Ikazhvaarpin Sendru Nilai.

Better 'twere said, 'He's perished!' than to gain
The means to live, following in foeman's train

Explanation
It is better for a man to be said of him that he died in his usual state than that he eked out his life by following those who disgraced him.

Tamil Transliteration
Ottaarpin Sendroruvan Vaazhdhala?n Annilaiye
Kettaan Enappatudhal Nandru.

When high estate has lost its pride of honour meet,
Is life, that nurses this poor flesh, as nectar sweet

Explanation
For the high-born to keep their body in life when their honour is gone will certainly not prove a remedy against death.

Tamil Transliteration
Marundhomatru Oonompum Vaazhkkai Perundhakaimai
Peetazhiya Vandha Itaththu.

Like the wild ox that, of its tuft bereft, will pine away,
Are those who, of their honour shorn, will quit the light of day

Explanation
Those who give up (their) life when (their) honour is at stake are like the yark which kills itself at the loss of (even one of) its hairs.

Tamil Transliteration
Mayirneeppin Vaazhaak Kavarimaa Annaar
Uyirneeppar Maanam Varin.

Who, when dishonour comes, refuse to live, their honoured memory
Will live in worship and applause of all the world for aye

Explanation
The world will (always) praise and adore the fame of the honourable who would rather die than suffer indignity.

Tamil Transliteration
Ilivarin Vaazhaadha Maanam Utaiyaar
Olidhozhudhu Eththum Ulaku.