Thirukkural 1040 in English

Farming though hard is foremost trade Men ply at will but ploughmen lead

Tillers are linch-pin of mankind Bearing the rest who cannot tend

They live who live to plough and eat The rest behind them bow and eat

Who have the shade of cornful crest Under their umbra umbrellas rest

Who till and eat, beg not; nought hide But give to those who are in need

Should ploughmen sit folding their hands Desire-free monks too suffer wants

Moulds dried to quarter-dust ensure Rich crops without handful manure

Better manure than plough; then weed; Than irrigating, better guard

If landsmen sit sans moving about The field like wife will sulk and pout