Chapter 108: Baseness

மக்களே போல்வர் கயவர் அவரன்ன
ஒப்பாரி யாங்கண்ட தில்.

Makkale Polvar Kayavar Avaranna
Oppaari Yaanganta Thil

The mean seem men only in form We have never seen such a sham

Meaning: The base resemble men perfectly (as regards form); and we have not seen such (exact) resemblance (among any other species)

நன்றறி வாரிற் கயவர் திருவுடையர்
நெஞ்சத்து அவலம் இலர்.

Nandrari Vaarir Kayavar Thiruvutaiyar
Nenjaththu Avalam Ilar

The base seem richer than the good For no care enters their heart or head

Meaning: The low enjoy more felicity than those who know what is good; for the former are not troubled with anxiety (as to the good)

தேவர் அனையர் கயவர் அவருந்தாம்
மேவன செய்தொழுக லான்.

Thevar Anaiyar Kayavar Avarundhaam
Mevana Seydhozhuka Laan

The base are like gods; for they too As prompted by their desire do

Meaning: The base resemble the Gods; for the base act as they like

அகப்பட்டி ஆவாரைக் காணின் அவரின்
மிகப்பட்டுச் செம்மாக்கும் கீழ்.

Akappatti Aavaaraik Kaanin Avarin
Mikappattuch Chemmaakkum Keezh

When the base meets a rake so vile Him he will exceed, exult and smile

Meaning: The base feels proud when he sees persons whose acts meaner than his own

அச்சமே கீழ்களது ஆசாரம் எச்சம்
அவாவுண்டேல் உண்டாம் சிறிது.

Achchame Keezhkaladhu Aasaaram Echcham
Avaavuntel Untaam Siridhu

Fear forms the conduct of the low Craving avails a bit below

Meaning: (The principle of) behaviour in the mean is chiefly fear; if not, hope of gain, to some extent

அறைபறை அன்னர் கயவர்தாம் கேட்ட
மறைபிறர்க்கு உய்த்துரைக்க லான்.

Araiparai Annar Kayavardhaam Ketta
Maraipirarkku Uyththuraikka Laan

The base are like the beaten drum Since other's secrets they proclaim

Meaning: The base are like a drum that is beaten, for they unburden to others the secrets they have heard

ஈர்ங்கை விதிரார் கயவர் கொடிறுடைக்கும்
கூன்கையர் அல்லா தவர்க்கு.

Eerngai Vidhiraar Kayavar Kotirutaikkum
Koonkaiyar Allaa Thavarkku

The base their damp hand will not shake But for fists clenched their jaws to break

Meaning: The mean will not (even) shake off (what sticks to) their hands (soon after a meal) to any but those who would break their jaws with their clenched fists

சொல்லப் பயன்படுவர் சான்றோர் கரும்புபோல்
கொல்லப் பயன்படும் கீழ்.

Sollap Payanpatuvar Saandror Karumpupol
Kollap Payanpatum Keezh

The good by soft words profits yield The cane-like base when crushed and killed

Meaning: The great bestow (their alms) as soon as they are informed; (but) the mean, like the sugar-cane, only when they are tortured to death

உடுப்பதூஉம் உண்பதூஉம் காணின் பிறர்மேல்
வடுக்காண வற்றாகும் கீழ்.

Utuppadhooum Unpadhooum Kaanin Pirarmel
Vatukkaana Vatraakum Keezh

Faults in others the mean will guess On seeing how they eat and dress

Meaning: The base will bring an evil (accusation) against others, as soon as he sees them (enjoying) good food

எற்றிற் குரியர் கயவரொன்று உற்றக்கால்
விற்றற்கு உரியர் விரைந்து.

Etrir Kuriyar Kayavarondru Utrakkaal
Vitrarku Uriyar Viraindhu

The base hasten to sell themselves From doom to flit and nothing else

Meaning: The base will hasten to sell themselves as soon as a calamity has befallen them. For what else are they fitted ?