The Possession of Knowledge

True wisdom wards off woes, A circling fortress high;
Its inner strength man's eager foes Unshaken will defy

Explanation
Wisdom is a weapon to ward off destruction; it is an inner fortress which enemies cannot destroy.

Tamil Transliteration
421 Arivatrang Kaakkung Karuvi Seruvaarkkum
Ullazhikka Laakaa Aran.

Wisdom restrains, nor suffers mind to wander where it would;
From every evil calls it back, and guides in way of good

Explanation
Not to permit the mind to go where it lists, to keep it from evil, and to employ it in good, this is wisdom.

Tamil Transliteration
Sendra Itaththaal Selavitaa Theedhoreei
Nandrinpaal Uyppa Tharivu.

Though things diverse from divers sages' lips we learn,
'Tis wisdom's part in each the true thing to discern

Explanation
To discern the truth in every thing, by whomsoever spoken, is wisdom.

Tamil Transliteration
Epporul Yaaryaarvaaik Ketpinum Apporul
Meypporul Kaanpa Tharivu.

Wisdom hath use of lucid speech, words that acceptance win,
And subtle sense of other men's discourse takes in

Explanation
To speak so as that the meaning may easily enter the mind of the hearer, and to discern the subtlest thought which may lie hidden in the words of others, this is wisdom.

Tamil Transliteration
Enporula Vaakach Chelachchollith Thaanpirarvaai
Nunporul Kaanpa Tharivu.

Wisdom embraces frank the world, to no caprice exposed;
Unlike the lotus flower, now opened wide, now petals strictly closed

Explanation
To secure the friendship of the great is true wisdom; it is (also) wisdom to keep (that friendship unchanged, and) not opening and closing (like the lotus flower).

Tamil Transliteration
Ulakam Thazheeiya Thotpam Malardhalum
Koompalum Illa Tharivu.

As dwells the world, so with the world to dwell
In harmony- this is to wisely live and well

Explanation
To live as the world lives, is wisdom.

Tamil Transliteration
Evva Thuraivadhu Ulakam Ulakaththotu
Avva Thuraiva Tharivu.

The wise discern, the foolish fail to see,
And minds prepare for things about to be

Explanation
The wise are those who know beforehand what will happen; those who do not know this are the unwise.

Tamil Transliteration
Arivutaiyaar Aava Tharivaar Arivilaar
Aqdhari Kallaa Thavar.

Folly meets fearful ills with fearless heart;
To fear where cause of fear exists is wisdom's part

Explanation
Not to fear what ought to be feared, is folly; it is the work of the wise to fear what should be feared.

Tamil Transliteration
Anjuva Thanjaamai Pedhaimai Anjuvadhu
Anjal Arivaar Thozhil.

The wise with watchful soul who coming ills foresee;
From coming evil's dreaded shock are free

Explanation
No terrifying calamity will happen to the wise, who (foresee) and guard against coming evils.

Tamil Transliteration
Edhiradhaak Kaakkum Arivinaark Killai
Adhira Varuvadhor Noi.

The wise is rich, with ev'ry blessing blest;
The fool is poor, of everything possessed

Explanation
Those who possess wisdom, possess every thing; those who have not wisdom, whatever they may possess, have nothing.

Tamil Transliteration
Arivutaiyaar Ellaa Mutaiyaar Arivilaar
Ennutaiya Renum Ilar.