Chapter 43 – The Possession of Knowledge / Arivutaimai
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 421
True wisdom wards off woes, A circling fortress high;
Its inner strength man’s eager foes Unshaken will defy.
Explanation
Wisdom is a weapon to ward off destruction; it is an inner fortress which enemies cannot destroy.
Transliteration
421 Arivatrang Kaakkung Karuvi Seruvaarkkum
Ullazhikka Laakaa Aran.
Couplet 422
Wisdom restrains, nor suffers mind to wander where it would;
From every evil calls it back, and guides in way of good.
Explanation
Not to permit the mind to go where it lists, to keep it from evil, and to employ it in good, this is wisdom.
Transliteration
Sendra Itaththaal Selavitaa Theedhoreei
Nandrinpaal Uyppa Tharivu.
Couplet 423
Though things diverse from divers sages’ lips we learn,
‘Tis wisdom’s part in each the true thing to discern.
Explanation
To discern the truth in every thing, by whomsoever spoken, is wisdom.
Transliteration
Epporul Yaaryaarvaaik Ketpinum Apporul
Meypporul Kaanpa Tharivu.
Couplet 424
Wisdom hath use of lucid speech, words that acceptance win,
And subtle sense of other men’s discourse takes in.
Explanation
To speak so as that the meaning may easily enter the mind of the hearer, and to discern the subtlest thought which may lie hidden in the words of others, this is wisdom.
Transliteration
Enporula Vaakach Chelachchollith Thaanpirarvaai
Nunporul Kaanpa Tharivu.
Couplet 425
Wisdom embraces frank the world, to no caprice exposed;
Unlike the lotus flower, now opened wide, now petals strictly closed.
Explanation
To secure the friendship of the great is true wisdom; it is (also) wisdom to keep (that friendship unchanged, and) not opening and closing (like the lotus flower).
Transliteration
Ulakam Thazheeiya Thotpam Malardhalum
Koompalum Illa Tharivu.
Couplet 426
As dwells the world, so with the world to dwell
In harmony- this is to wisely live and well.
Explanation
To live as the world lives, is wisdom.
Transliteration
Evva Thuraivadhu Ulakam Ulakaththotu
Avva Thuraiva Tharivu.
Couplet 427
The wise discern, the foolish fail to see,
And minds prepare for things about to be.
Explanation
The wise are those who know beforehand what will happen; those who do not know this are the unwise.
Transliteration
Arivutaiyaar Aava Tharivaar Arivilaar
Aqdhari Kallaa Thavar.
Couplet 428
Folly meets fearful ills with fearless heart;
To fear where cause of fear exists is wisdom’s part.
Explanation
Not to fear what ought to be feared, is folly; it is the work of the wise to fear what should be feared.
Transliteration
Anjuva Thanjaamai Pedhaimai Anjuvadhu
Anjal Arivaar Thozhil.
Couplet 429
The wise with watchful soul who coming ills foresee;
From coming evil’s dreaded shock are free.
Explanation
No terrifying calamity will happen to the wise, who (foresee) and guard against coming evils.
Transliteration
Edhiradhaak Kaakkum Arivinaark Killai
Adhira Varuvadhor Noi.
Couplet 430
The wise is rich, with ev’ry blessing blest;
The fool is poor, of everything possessed.
Explanation
Those who possess wisdom, possess every thing; those who have not wisdom, whatever they may possess, have nothing.
Transliteration
Arivutaiyaar Ellaa Mutaiyaar Arivilaar
Ennutaiya Renum Ilar.
0 Comments