Naaladiyaar – 195
Good clan or Bad clan are just words,
no meaning do they have;
Hereditary fame and wealth alone are not enough;
Self-discipline, learning and spirit define one’s clan.
நல்ல குலம் என்றும், தீய குலம் என்றும்,
சொல் அளவு அல்லால் பொருள் இல்லை; தொல் சிறப்பின்
ஒண் பொருள் ஒன்றோ? தவம், கல்வி, ஆள்வினை,
என்று இவற்றான் ஆகும், குலம்.
Being born in a particular clan doesn’t make one good or bad. There is no good clan or bad clan. These are just words, they have no real meaning. Inherited clan pride and wealth alone are not enough to define oneself. Their self-discipline, learning and spiritedness define whether one is superior or inferior.
Old Tamil Poetry 