Not Drinking Palm-Wine

Who love the palm's intoxicating juice, each day,
No rev'rence they command, their glory fades away

Explanation
Those who always thirst after drink will neither inspire fear (in others) nor retain the light (of their fame).

Tamil Transliteration
Utkap Pataaar Oliyizhappar Egngnaandrum
Katkaadhal Kontozhuku Vaar.

Drink not inebriating draught Let him count well the cost
Who drinks, by drinking, all good men's esteem is lost

Explanation
Let no liquor be drunk; if it is desired, let it be drunk by those who care not for esteem of the great.

Tamil Transliteration
Unnarka Kallai Unilunka Saandroraan
Ennap Pataventaa Thaar.

The drunkard's joy is sorrow to his mother's eyes;
What must it be in presence of the truly wise

Explanation
Intoxication is painful even in the presence of (one's) mother; what will it not then be in that of the wise ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Eendraal Mukaththeyum Innaadhaal Enmatruch
Chaandror Mukaththuk Kali.

Shame, goodly maid, will turn her back for aye on them
Who sin the drunkard's grievous sin, that all condemn

Explanation
The fair maid of modesty will turn her back on those who are guilty of the great and abominable crime of drunkenness.

Tamil Transliteration
Naanennum Nallaal Purangotukkum Kallennum
Penaap Perungutrath Thaarkku.

With gift of goods who self-oblivion buys,
Is ignorant of all that man should prize

Explanation
To give money and purchase unconsciousness is the result of one's ignorance of (one's own actions).

Tamil Transliteration
Kaiyari Yaamai Utaiththe Porulkotuththu
Meyyari Yaamai Kolal.

Sleepers are as the dead, no otherwise they seem;
Who drink intoxicating draughts, they poison quaff, we deem

Explanation
They that sleep resemble the deed; (likewise) they that drink are no other than poison-eaters.

Tamil Transliteration
Thunjinaar Seththaarin Verallar Egngnaandrum
Nanjunpaar Kallun Pavar.

Who turn aside to drink, and droop their heavy eye,
Shall be their townsmen's jest, when they the fault espy

Explanation
Those who always intoxicate themselves by a private (indulgence in) drink; will have their secrets detected and laughed at by their fellow-townsmen.

Tamil Transliteration
Ullotri Ulloor Nakappatuvar Egngnaandrum
Kallotrik Kansaai Pavar.

No more in secret drink, and then deny thy hidden fraud;
What in thy mind lies hid shall soon be known abroad

Explanation
Let (the drunkard) give up saying "I have never drunk"; (for) the moment (he drinks) he will simply betray his former attempt to conceal.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaliththariyen Enpadhu Kaivituka Nenjaththu
Oliththadhooum Aange Mikum.

Like him who, lamp in hand, would seek one sunk beneath the wave
Is he who strives to sober drunken man with reasonings grave

Explanation
Reasoning with a drunkard is like going under water with a torch in search of a drowned man.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaliththaanaik Kaaranam Kaattudhal Keezhneerk
Kuliththaanaith Theeththureei Atru.

When one, in sober interval, a drunken man espies,
Does he not think, 'Such is my folly in my revelries'

Explanation
When (a drunkard) who is sober sees one who is not, it looks as if he remembered not the evil effects of his (own) drink.

Tamil Transliteration
Kallunnaap Pozhdhir Kaliththaanaik Kaanungaal
Ullaankol Untadhan Sorvu.