Old Tamil Poetry

Thirikadugam – 28

Vicious man who argues nastily to win,
One who covets an unattainable thing,
One who waits to fault other’s learning –
these three tire their arms dehusking the husk.

வெல்வது வேண்டி வெகுண்டு உரைக்கும் நோன்பியும்
இல்லது காமுற்று இருப்பானும், கல்விச்
செவிக் குற்றம் பார்த்திருப்பானும்,-இம் மூவர்
உமிக் குற்றுக் கை வருந்துவார்.

The vicious man who talks angrily in order to win an argument, the man who covets the unattainable, the man who waits to find fault in opponent’s knowledge – these three are like men who tire their arms trying to dehusk the husk. Rice has already been removed and only the husk is left over. These three are like those who try to dehusk it again. What they do is useless and will only tire them.