The Worth of a Wife

As doth the house beseem, she shows her wifely dignity;
As doth her husband's wealth befit, she spends: help - meet is she

Explanation
She who has the excellence of home virtues, and can expend within the means of her husband, is a help in the domestic state.

Tamil Transliteration
Manaikdhakka Maanputaiyal Aakiththar Kontaan
Valaththakkaal Vaazhkkaith Thunai.

If household excellence be wanting in the wife,
Howe'er with splendour lived, all worthless is the life

Explanation
If the wife be devoid of domestic excellence, whatever (other) greatness be possessed, the conjugal state, is nothing.

Tamil Transliteration
Manaimaatchi Illaalkan Illaayin Vaazhkkai
Enaimaatchith Thaayinum Il.

There is no lack within the house, where wife in worth excels,
There is no luck within the house, where wife dishonoured dwells

Explanation
If his wife be eminent (in virtue), what does (that man) not possess ? If she be without excellence, what does (he) possess ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Illadhen Illaval Maanpaanaal Ulladhen
Illaval Maanaak Katai?.

If woman might of chastity retain,
What choicer treasure doth the world contain

Explanation
What is more excellent than a wife, if she possess the stability of chastity ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Pennin Perundhakka Yaavula Karpennum
Thinmaiun Taakap Perin.

No God adoring, low she bends before her lord;
Then rising, serves: the rain falls instant at her word

Explanation
If she, who does not worship God, but who rising worships her husband, say, "let it rain," it will rain.

Tamil Transliteration
Theyvam Thozhaaal Kozhunan Thozhudhezhuvaal
Peyyenap Peyyum Mazhai.

Who guards herself, for husband's comfort cares, her household's fame,
In perfect wise with sleepless soul preserves, -give her a woman's name

Explanation
She is a wife who unweariedly guards herself, takes care of her husband, and preserves an unsullied fame.

Tamil Transliteration
Tharkaaththuth Tharkontaar Penith Thakaisaandra
Sorkaaththuch Chorvilaal Pen.

Of what avail is watch and ward?
Honour's woman's safest guard

Explanation
What avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity.

Tamil Transliteration
Siraikaakkum Kaappevan Seyyum Makalir
Niraikaakkum Kaappe Thalai.

If wife be wholly true to him who gained her as his bride,
Great glory gains she in the world where gods bliss abide

Explanation
If women shew reverence to their husbands, they will obtain great excellence in the world where the gods flourish.

Tamil Transliteration
Petraar Perinperuvar Pentir Perunjirappup
Puththelir Vaazhum Ulaku.

Who have not spouses that in virtue's praise delight,
They lion-like can never walk in scorner's sight

Explanation
The man whose wife seeks not the praise (of chastity) cannot walk with lion-like stately step, before those who revile them.

Tamil Transliteration
Pukazhpurindha Illilorkku Illai Ikazhvaarmun
Erupol Peetu Natai.

The house's 'blessing', men pronounce the house-wife excellent;
The gain of blessed children is its goodly ornament

Explanation
The excellence of a wife is the good of her husband; and good children are the jewels of that goodness.

Tamil Transliteration
Mangalam Enpa Manaimaatchi Matru Adhan
Nankalam Nanmakkat Peru.