Old Tamil Poetry

Pazhamozhi 400 – 185

Though battling scarcity at home,
One should look respectable to the world;
Though one doesn’t even have a place to lie down,
If dressed well, none asks them if they’re hungry.

அகத்தால் அழிவு பெரிது ஆயக்கண்ணும்,
புறத்தால் பொலிவுறல் வேண்டும்;-எனைத்தும்
படுக்கை இலராயக்கண்ணும், உடுத்தாரை
உண்டி வினவுவார் இல்.

Even though one might be poor and battling scarcity at home, they should present their best to the world and look presentable. Because the world judges people by how they dress. One might not even have a place to lie down. But if he is dressed well, no one will ask him if he is hungry. So, always dress well.