Old Tamil Poetry

Thirukkural – 178

Way to not shrink one’s wealth
is to not covet other’s riches.

அஃகாமை செல்வத்திற் கியாதெனின் வெஃகாமை
வேண்டும் பிறன்கைப் பொருள்.

Coveting what others have will lead to reduction of one’s own. Chapter 17 of Thirukkural is about ‘Not Coveting’ (வெஃகாமை).

அஃகாமை – not reduce
வெஃகாமை – not coveting

Thirukkural – 546

Spear isn’t what gives victory; it is
Ruler’s sceptre, if unbowed

வேல் அன்று, வென்றி தருவது; மன்னவன்
கோல்; அதூஉம், கோடாது எனின்

Arms alone can’t assure victory. It is the fairness of the Ruler’s justice that assures victory.

Thirukkural – 1147

Town’s gossip as manure, mother’s censure
as water, flourishes this malady.

ஊரவர் கௌவை எருவாக,அன்னை
சொல் நீராக, நீளும்-இந் நோய்

She’s pining for him. Her friend tells that the town’s gossiping about her and her mother is cursing her with angry words. She says the town’s gossip and my mother’s words strengthen my love instead of weakening it.

Thirukkural – 666

They reach their goal as planned,
those who are steadfast in their plan

எண்ணிய எண்ணியாங்கெய்துப வெண்ணியார்
திண்ணிய ராகப் பெறின்

Thirukkural 666.

Thirukkural – 1164

My passion’s like a sea
But I lack a raft, to cross it safely.

காமக் கடல் மன்னும் உண்டே;அது நீந்தும்
ஏமப் புணை மன்னும் இல்.

Thirukkural 1164. This couplet is him saying how much afflicted with lust he is when she leaves him.

Thirukkural – 844

‘What’s immaturity?’ It’s the
conceit of claiming ‘I’m wise’

‘வெண்மை எனப்படுவது யாது?’ எனின், ‘ஒண்மை
உடையம் யாம்!’ என்னும் செருக்கு

Thirukkural 844. Only the immature will claim that they are wise.

Thirukkural – 1216

If only there was nothing called reality, my lover,
who’s in my dreams, will never leave me.

நனவு என ஒன்று இல்லைஆயின், கனவினான்
காதலர் நீங்கலர்மன்.

She lives with him in her dreams. But when she wakes up, she find that he is not there. So she hates the reality that is snatching him away from her.

நனவு – reality

Thirukkural – 1284

It’s to quarrel I went, my friend! forgetting
that, my heart started to romance.

ஊடற்கண் சென்றேன்மன்;-தோழி! அது மறந்து
கூடற்கண் சென்றது, என் நெஞ்சு

She’s upset that he was away for long. So when he comes back she goes to quarrel with him. But on seeing him her heart melts and she starts romancing him.

Thirukkural – 1218

When I’m asleep he embraces me;
On waking up, he recedes into my heart, quickly

துஞ்சுங்கால் தோள் மேலர் ஆகி, விழிக்குங்கால்
நெஞ்சத்தர் ஆவர், விரைந்து.

Her friend rebukes the hero for deserting her. She defends him saying he hasn’t deserted me but resides in my heart and comes in my dreams. Once I wake up he goes back into my heart.

Thirukkural – 463

Expecting future profits and losing capital invested,
Is an act not undertaken by the wise.

ஆக்கங் கருதி முதலிழக்குஞ் செய்வினை
யூக்கா ரறிவுடை யார்.

Wise people do not undertake any act that has the risk of losing capital invested in expectation of doubtful future gains. Do not risk your capital in speculative ventures.

ஆக்கம் – creation (future wealth)

கருதி – considering / expecting

முதல் – Capital

இழக்கும் – Lose

செய்வினை – Act

ஊக்கார் – Will not undertake

அறிவுடையார் – People with brains / Wise