Old Tamil Poetry

Thirukkural – 1089

She’s blessed with doe like tender eyes and modesty,
what’s the use of external jewelry?

பிணை ஏர் மட நோக்கும், நாணும் உடையாட்கு
அணி எவனோ, ஏதில தந்து?

He says, “She is beautiful with doe like eyes and innate modesty. What is the the use of external jewelry, which cannot add to her natural beauty?”

Thirukkural – 738.

Good health, wealth, fertility, happiness and security –
these five are said to be adornments of a country.

பிணி இன்மை, செல்வம், விளைவு, இன்பம், ஏமம்-
அணி என்ப, நாட்டிற்கு-இவ் ஐந்து.

Wise men say absence of disease, citizen’s wealth, fertile land, happiness of people and security are jewels of a country. I have translated ‘Absence of disease’ as ‘Good Health’.

Thirukkural – 540

To achieve what one has in mind is easy,
if he constantly has it in mind.

உள்ளியது எய்தல் எளிதுமன்-மற்றும் தான்
உள்ளியது உள்ளப்பெறின்.

To achieve one’s aim is easy, if he constantly has his aim in his mind. Similar to Napolean Hill’s “whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve”. 2000 years earlier than Hill though.

Thirukkural – 778

Men who rush to battle without fearing for their lives,
won’t lose their zeal even if Ruler chides.

உறின், உயிர் அஞ்சா மறவர், இறைவன்
செறினும், சீர் குன்றல் இலர்.

The brave soldiers who respond to the battle call without worrying about their lives won’t turn back even if their King criticizes them and asks them not to rush.

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.

Thirukkural – 1106

உறுதோறு உயிர் தளிர்ப்பத் தீண்டலான், பேதைக்கு
அமிழ்தின் இயன்றன, தோள்.

As their touch revives my soul every time I embrace her,
this girl’s arms must be made of nectar.

Whenever he is away from her, his soul withers away. Every time he embraces her, her touch revives and rejuvenates his soul. So he says her arms must be made of nectar (life giving drink of Gods) as they revive me with their touch.

Thirukkural – 451

Noble men fear the mean horde;
Ignoble though, embrace it as their own.

சிற்றின மஞ்சும் பெருமை சிறுமைதான்
சுற்றமாச் சூழ்ந்து விடும்.

Noble men are afraid of associating with nasty and mean people. But the ignoble ones feel at home with the mean and embrace them as their own.

Thirukkural – 514

எனை வகையான் தேறியக்கண்ணும், வினை வகையான்
வேறாகும் மாந்தர் பலர்.

Though chosen after tests aplenty,
men changed by nature of the task are many.

Even though a person passes all kinds of tests and is chosen as suitable for a job, many people change once they start doing the job. The nature of the job – power associated with it, for example – transforms them. So the Ruler has to keep an eye on them and not trust them blindly because they passed all tests.

Thirukkural – 388

A just ruler who safeguards, is revered
by his people as God.

முறை செய்து காப்பாற்றும் மன்னவன், மக்கட்கு
இறை என்று வைக்கப்படும்.