Impartiality

If justice, failing not, its quality maintain,
Giving to each his due, -'tis man's one highest gain

Explanation
That equity which consists in acting with equal regard to each of (the three) divisions of men [enemies, strangers and friends] is a pre-eminent virtue.

Tamil Transliteration
Thakudhi Enavondru Nandre Pakudhiyaal
Paarpattu Ozhukap Perin.

The just man's wealth unwasting shall endure,
And to his race a lasting joy ensure

Explanation
The wealth of the man of rectitude will not perish, but will bring happiness also to his posterity.

Tamil Transliteration
Seppam Utaiyavan Aakkanj Chidhaivindri
Echchaththir Kemaappu Utaiththu.

Though only good it seem to give, yet gain
By wrong acquired, not e'en one day retain

Explanation
Forsake in the very moment (of acquisition) that gain which, though it should bring advantage, is without equity.

Tamil Transliteration
Nandre Tharinum Natuvikandhaam Aakkaththai
Andre Yozhiya Vital.

Who just or unjust lived shall soon appear:
By each one's offspring shall the truth be clear

Explanation
The worthy and unworthy may be known by the existence or otherwise of good offsprings.

Tamil Transliteration
Thakkaar Thakavilar Enpadhu Avaravar
Echchaththaar Kaanap Patum.

The gain and loss in life are not mere accident;
Just mind inflexible is sages' ornament

Explanation
Loss and gain come not without cause; it is the ornament of the wise to preserve evenness of mind (under both).

Tamil Transliteration
Ketum Perukkamum Illalla Nenjaththuk
Kotaamai Saandrork Kani.

If, right deserting, heart to evil turn,
Let man impending ruin's sign discern

Explanation
Let him whose mind departing from equity commits sin well consider thus within himself, "I shall perish.".

Tamil Transliteration
Ketuvalyaan Enpadhu Arikadhan Nenjam
Natuvoreei Alla Seyin.

The man who justly lives, tenacious of the right,
In low estate is never low to wise man's sight

Explanation
The great will not regard as poverty the low estate of that man who dwells in the virtue of equity.

Tamil Transliteration
Ketuvaaka Vaiyaadhu Ulakam Natuvaaka
Nandrikkan Thangiyaan Thaazhvu.

To stand, like balance-rod that level hangs and rightly weighs,
With calm unbiassed equity of soul, is sages' praise

Explanation
To incline to neither side, but to rest impartial as the even-fixed scale is the ornament of the wise.

Tamil Transliteration
Samanseydhu Seerdhookkung Kolpol Amaindhorupaal
Kotaamai Saandrork Kani.

Inflexibility in word is righteousness,
If men inflexibility of soul possess

Explanation
Freedom from obliquity of speech is rectitude, if there be (corresponding) freedom from bias of mind.

Tamil Transliteration
Sorkottam Illadhu Seppam Orudhalaiyaa
Utkottam Inmai Perin.

As thriving trader is the trader known,
Who guards another's interests as his own

Explanation
The true merchandize of merchants is to guard and do by the things of others as they do by their own.

Tamil Transliteration
Vaanikam Seyvaarkku Vaanikam Penip
Piravum Thamapol Seyin.