குறள் 454
மனத்து ளதுபோலக் காட்டி ஒருவற்கு
இனத்துள தாகும் அறிவு.
Stanza 454
Wisdom which seems to comes from the mind
Comes really from one’s company.
Meaning:
The knowledge of a man, while it appears to be from his mind is really from its associates.
Transliteration
Manaththu Ladhupolak Kaatti Oruvarku
Inaththula Thaakum Arivu
குறள் 405
கல்லா ஒருவன் தகைமை தலைப்பெய்து
சொல்லாடச் சோர்வு படும்.
Stanza 405
A fool’s assurance collapses
When enganged in a discussion.
Meaning:
The self-conceit of unlearned an will fade away as soon as he s[eaks in an assembly (of the learned).
Transliteration
Kallaa Oruvan Thakaimai Thalaippeydhu
Sollaatach Chorvu Patum.
குறள் 455
மனந்தூய்மை செய்வினை தூய்மை இரண்டும்
இனந்தூய்மை தூவா வரும்.
Stanza 455
The pure thought and the pure deed
Come from pure company.
Meaning:
Chaste company is the staff on which come these two things, purity of mind and purity of conduct.
Transliteration
Manandhooimai Seyvinai Thooimai Irantum
Inandhooimai Thoovaa Varum
குறள் 406
உளரென்னும் மாத்திரையர் அல்லால் பயவாக்
களரனையர் கல்லா தவர்.
Stanza 406
The ignorant are like saline soil:
They are there, but useless.
Meaning:
The unlearned are like barren land; all that can be said of them is that they exist.
Transliteration
Ularennum Maaththiraiyar Allaal Payavaak
Kalaranaiyar Kallaa Thavar
குறள் 456
மனந்தூயார்க் கெச்சம்நன் றாகும் இனந்தூயார்க்கு
இல்லைநன் றாகா வினை.
Stanza 456
The pure-hearted will leave a pure progeny
And bad deeds never spring from good fellowship.
Meaning:
To the pure-minded there will be a good posterity; by those who associates are pure, no deeds will be done that are not good.
Transliteration
Manandhooyaark Kechchamnan Raakum Inandhooyaarkku
Illainan Raakaa Vinai
குறள் 407
நுண்மாண்நுழைபுலம்இல்லான்எழில்நலம்
மண்மாண்புனைபாவையற்று.
Stanza 407
A handsome man with an untrained mind
Has the beauty of a mud-doll.
Meaning:
The beauty and goodness of one who is destitute of knowledge by the study of great and exquisite works, is like (the beauty and goodness of) painted earthen doll.
Transliteration
Nunmaan Nuzhaipulam Illaan Ezhilnalam
Manmaan Punaipaavai Yatru
குறள் 408
நல்லார்கண்பட்டவறுமையின்இன்னாதே
கல்லார்கண்பட்டதிரு.
Stanza 408
The wealth of ignorant does more harm
Than the want of the learned.
Meaning:
Wealth gained by unlearned, will give more sorrow than the poverty which may come of on the learned.
Transliteration
Nallaarkan Patta Varumaiyin Innaadhe
Kallaarkan Patta Thiru
குறள் 434
குற்றமே காக்க பொருளாகக் குற்றமே
அற்றந் த்ரூஉம் பகை.
Stanza 434
Guard against error as youwoud guard wealth,
For error is a foe that kills.
Meaning:
Guard against faults as a matter (of great consequesnce); for faults are the deadly enemies.
Transliteration
Kutrame Kaakka Porulaakak Kutrame
Atran Tharooum Pakai.
குறள் 435
வருமுன்னர்க் காவாதான் வாழ்க்கை எரிமுன்னர்
வைத்தூறு போலக் கெடும்.
Stanza 435
A life that does not guard against faults
Is a heap of straw before fire?
Meaning:
The propesrity, of him who does timely guard against faults, will perish like straw before fire.
Transliteration
Varumunnark Kaavaadhaan Vaazhkkai Erimunnar
Vaiththooru Polak Ketum
குறள் 436
தன்குற்றம் நீக்கிப் பிறர்குற்றங் காண்கிற்பின்
என்குற்ற மாகும் இறைக்கு?
Stanza 436
How can a king be faulted who removes
His own fault before seeing that of others?
Meaning:
What fault will remain in the king, who as put away his own evils, and look after the evils or others?
Transliteration
Thankutram Neekkip Pirarkutrang Kaankirpin
Enkutra Maakum Iraikku?