Chapter 84 – Folly / Pedhaimai
Couplet 831
What one thing merits folly’s special name.
Letting gain go, loss for one’s own to claim.
Explanation
Folly is one (of the chief defects); it is that which (makes one) incur loss and forego gain.
Transliteration
Pedhaimai Enpadhondru Yaadhenin Edhangontu
Oodhiyam Poka Vital.
Couplet 832
‘Mid follies chiefest folly is to fix your love
On deeds which to your station unbefitting prove.
Explanation
The greatest folly is that which leads one to take delight in doing what is forbidden.
Transliteration
Pedhaimaiyul Ellaam Pedhaimai Kaadhanmai
Kaiyalla Thankat Seyal.
Couplet 833
Ashamed of nothing, searching nothing out, of loveless heart,
Nought cherishing, ’tis thus the fool will play his part.
Explanation
Shamelessness indifference (to what must be sought after), harshness, and aversion for everything (that ought to be desired) are the qualities of the fool.
Transliteration
Naanaamai Naataamai Naarinmai Yaadhondrum
Penaamai Pedhai Thozhil.
Couplet 834
The sacred law he reads and learns, to other men expounds,-
Himself obeys not; where can greater fool be found.
Explanation
There are no greater fools than he who, though he has read and understood (a great deal) and even taught it to others, does not walk according to his own teaching.
Transliteration
Odhi Unarndhum Pirarkkuraiththum Thaanatangaap
Pedhaiyin Pedhaiyaar Il.
Couplet 835
The fool will merit hell in one brief life on earth,
In which he entering sinks through sevenfold round of birth.
Explanation
A fool can procure in a single birth a hell into which he may enter and suffer through all the seven births.
Transliteration
Orumaich Cheyalaatrum Pedhai Ezhumaiyum
Thaanpuk Kazhundhum Alaru.
Couplet 836
When fool some task attempts with uninstructed pains,
It fails; nor that alone, himself he binds with chains.
Explanation
If the fool, who knows not how to act undertakes a work, he will (certainly) fail (But) is it all ? He will even adorn himself with fetters.
Transliteration
Poipatum Ondro Punaipoonum Kaiyariyaap
Pedhai Vinaimer Kolin.
Couplet 837
When fools are blessed with fortune’s bounteous store,
Their foes feed full, their friends are prey to hunger sore.
Explanation
If a fool happens to get an immense fortune, his neighbours will enjoy it while his relations starve.
Transliteration
Edhilaar Aarath Thamarpasippar Pedhai
Perunjelvam Utrak Katai.
Couplet 838
When folly’s hand grasps wealth’s increase, ’twill be
As when a mad man raves in drunken glee.
Explanation
A fool happening to possess something is like the intoxication of one who is (already) giddy.
Transliteration
Maiyal Oruvan Kaliththatraal Pedhaidhan
Kaiyondru Utaimai Perin.
Couplet 839
Friendship of fools is very pleasant thing,
Parting with them will leave behind no sting.
Explanation
The friendship between fools is exceedingly delightful (to each other): for at parting there will be.
Transliteration
Peridhinidhu Pedhaiyaar Kenmai Pirivinkan
Peezhai Tharuvadhon Ril.
Couplet 840
Like him who seeks his couch with unwashed feet,
Is fool whose foot intrudes where wise men meet.
Explanation
The appearance of a fool in an assembly of the learned is like placing (one’s) unwashed feet on a bed.
Transliteration
Kazhaaakkaal Palliyul Vaiththatraal Saandror
Kuzhaaaththup Pedhai Pukal.
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