Old Tamil Poetry

Thirukkural – 1039

If the master’s absent, his land will sulk,
and like a grumpy wife, be in strife.

செல்லான் கிழவன் இருப்பின், நிலம் புலந்து
இல்லாளின் ஊடிவிடும்.

If the owner of the land doesn’t visit his land daily and take care of farm activities, the land will start sulking and will fall out with him, like a grumpy wife. In the original text ‘grumpy’ is not explicit, but all the commentaries from 11th Century onwards mention irritable wife. I have made it explicit in the translation.

Though this couplet is under the chapter “Farming”, it is applicable to any business. If business owner doesn’t go to his place of work daily and take care of it, the business will falter.