Unsluggishness

Of household dignity the lustre beaming bright,
Flickers and dies when sluggish foulness dims its light

Explanation
By the darkness, of idleness, the indestructible lamp of family (rank) will be extinguished.

Tamil Transliteration
601 Kutiyennum Kundraa Vilakkam Matiyennum
Maasoora Maaindhu Ketum.

Let indolence, the death of effort, die,
If you'd uphold your household's dignity

Explanation
Let those, who desire that their family may be illustrious, put away all idleness from their conduct.

Tamil Transliteration
Matiyai Matiyaa Ozhukal Kutiyaik
Kutiyaaka Ventu Pavar.

Who fosters indolence within his breast, the silly elf!
The house from which he springs shall perish ere himself

Explanation
The (lustre of the) family of the ignorant man, who acts under the influence of destructive laziness will perish, even before he is dead.

Tamil Transliteration
Matimatik Kontozhukum Pedhai Pirandha
Kutimatiyum Thanninum Mundhu.

His family decays, and faults unheeded thrive,
Who, sunk in sloth, for noble objects doth not strive

Explanation
Family (greatness) will be destroyed, and faults will increase, in those men who give way to laziness, and put forth no dignified exertions.

Tamil Transliteration
Kutimatindhu Kutram Perukum Matimatindhu
Maanta Ugnatri Lavarkku.

Delay, oblivion, sloth, and sleep: these four
Are pleasure-boat to bear the doomed to ruin's shore

Explanation
Procrastination, forgetfulness, idleness, and sleep, these four things, form the vessel which is desired by those destined to destruction.

Tamil Transliteration
Netuneer Maravi Matidhuyil Naankum
Ketuneeraar Kaamak Kalan.

Though lords of earth unearned possessions gain,
The slothful ones no yield of good obtain

Explanation
It is a rare thing for the idle, even when possessed of the riches of kings who ruled over the whole earth, to derive any great benefit from it.

Tamil Transliteration
Patiyutaiyaar Patramaindhak Kannum Matiyutaiyaar
Maanpayan Eydhal Aridhu.

Who hug their sloth, nor noble works attempt,
Shall bear reproofs and words of just contempt

Explanation
Those who through idleness, and do not engage themselves in dignified exertion, will subject.

Tamil Transliteration
Itipurindhu Ellunj Chol Ketpar Matipurindhu
Maanta Ugnatri Lavar.

If sloth a dwelling find mid noble family,
Bondsmen to them that hate them shall they be

Explanation
If idleness take up its abode in a king of high birth, it will make him a slave of his enemies.

Tamil Transliteration
Matimai Kutimaikkan Thangindhan Onnaarkku
Atimai Pukuththi Vitum.

Who changes slothful habits saves
Himself from all that household rule depraves

Explanation
When a man puts away idleness, the reproach which has come upon himself and his family will disappear.

Tamil Transliteration
Kutiyaanmai Yulvandha Kutram Oruvan
Matiyaanmai Maatrak Ketum.

The king whose life from sluggishness is rid,
Shall rule o'er all by foot of mighty god bestrid

Explanation
The king who never gives way to idleness will obtain entire possession of (the whole earth) passed over by him who measured (the worlds) with His foot.

Tamil Transliteration
Matiyilaa Mannavan Eydhum Atiyalandhaan
Thaaaya Thellaam Orungu.