The Possession of Self-restraint

Control of self does man conduct to bliss th' immortals share;
Indulgence leads to deepest night, and leaves him there

Explanation
Self-control will place (a man) among the Gods; the want of it will drive (him) into the thickest darkness (of hell).

Tamil Transliteration
Atakkam Amararul Uykkum Atangaamai
Aarirul Uyththu Vitum.

Guard thou as wealth the power of self-control;
Than this no greater gain to living soul

Explanation
Let self-control be guarded as a treasure; there is no greater source of good for man than that.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaakka Porulaa Atakkaththai Aakkam
Adhaninooung Killai Uyirkku.

If versed in wisdom's lore by virtue's law you self restrain
Your self-repression known will yield you glory's gain

Explanation
Knowing that self-control is knowledge, if a man should control himself, in the prescribed course, such self-control will bring him distinction among the wise.

Tamil Transliteration
Serivarindhu Seermai Payakkum Arivarindhu
Aatrin Atangap Perin.

In his station, all unswerving, if man self subdue,
Greater he than mountain proudly rising to the view

Explanation
More lofty than a mountain will be the greatness of that man who without swerving from his domestic state, controls himself.

Tamil Transliteration
Nilaiyin Thiriyaadhu Atangiyaan Thotram
Malaiyinum Maanap Peridhu.

To all humility is goodly grace; but chief to them
With fortune blessed, -'tis fortune's diadem

Explanation
Humility is good in all; but especially in the rich it is (the excellence of) higher riches.

Tamil Transliteration
Ellaarkkum Nandraam Panidhal Avarullum
Selvarkke Selvam Thakaiththu.

Like tortoise, who the five restrains
In one, through seven world bliss obtains

Explanation
1 7 Should one throughout a single birth, like a tortoise keep in his five senses, the fruit of it will prove a.

Tamil Transliteration
Orumaiyul Aamaipol Aindhatakkal Aatrin
Ezhumaiyum Emaap Putaiththu.

Whate'er they fail to guard, o'er lips men guard should keep;
If not, through fault of tongue, they bitter tears shall weep

Explanation
Whatever besides you leave unguarded, guard your tongue; otherwise errors of speech and the consequent misery will ensue.

Tamil Transliteration
Yaakaavaa Raayinum Naakaakka Kaavaakkaal
Sokaappar Sollizhukkup Pattu.

Though some small gain of good it seem to bring,
The evil word is parent still of evil thing

Explanation
If a man's speech be productive of a single evil, all the good by him will be turned into evil.

Tamil Transliteration
Ondraanun Theechchol Porutpayan Untaayin
Nandraakaa Thaaki Vitum.

In flesh by fire inflamed, nature may thoroughly heal the sore;
In soul by tongue inflamed, the ulcer healeth never more

Explanation
The wound which has been burnt in by fire may heal, but a wound burnt in by the tongue will never heal.

Tamil Transliteration
Theeyinaar Suttapun Ullaarum Aaraadhe
Naavinaar Sutta Vatu.

Who learns restraint, and guards his soul from wrath,
Virtue, a timely aid, attends his path

Explanation
Virtue, seeking for an opportunity, will come into the path of that man who, possessed of learning and self-control, guards himself against anger.

Tamil Transliteration
Kadhangaaththuk Katratangal Aatruvaan Sevvi
Arampaarkkum Aatrin Nuzhaindhu.