Chapter 13: The Possession of Self-restraint

அடக்கம் அமரருள் உய்க்கும் அடங்காமை
ஆரிருள் உய்த்து விடும்.

Atakkam Amararul Uykkum Atangaamai
Aarirul Uyththu Vitum

Self-rule leads to realms of gods Indulgence leads to gloomy hades

Meaning: Self-control will place (a man) among the Gods; the want of it will drive (him) into the thickest darkness (of hell)

காக்க பொருளா அடக்கத்தை ஆக்கம்
அதனினூஉங் கில்லை உயிர்க்கு.

Kaakka Porulaa Atakkaththai Aakkam
Adhaninooung Killai Uyirkku

No gains with self-control measure Guard with care this great treasure

Meaning: Let self-control be guarded as a treasure; there is no greater source of good for man than that

செறிவறிந்து சீர்மை பயக்கும் அறிவறிந்து
ஆற்றின் அடங்கப் பெறின்.

Serivarindhu Seermai Payakkum Arivarindhu
Aatrin Atangap Perin

Knowing wisdom who lives controlled Name and fame seek him untold

Meaning: Knowing that self-control is knowledge, if a man should control himself, in the prescribed course, such self-control will bring him distinction among the wise

நிலையின் திரியாது அடங்கியான் தோற்றம்
மலையினும் மாணப் பெரிது.

Nilaiyin Thiriyaadhu Atangiyaan Thotram
Malaiyinum Maanap Peridhu

Firmly fixed in self serene The sage looks grander than mountain

Meaning: More lofty than a mountain will be the greatness of that man who without swerving from his domestic state, controls himself

எல்லார்க்கும் நன்றாம் பணிதல் அவருள்ளும்
செல்வர்க்கே செல்வம் தகைத்து.

Ellaarkkum Nandraam Panidhal Avarullum
Selvarkke Selvam Thakaiththu

Humility is good for all To the rich it adds a wealth special

Meaning: Humility is good in all; but especially in the rich it is (the excellence of) higher riches

ஒருமையுள் ஆமைபோல் ஐந்தடக்கல் ஆற்றின்
எழுமையும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.

Orumaiyul Aamaipol Aindhatakkal Aatrin
Ezhumaiyum Emaap Putaiththu

Who senses five like tortoise hold Their joy prolongs to births sevenfold

Meaning: Should one throughout a single birth, like a tortoise keep in his five senses, the fruit of it will prove a safe-guard to him throughout the seven-fold births.

யாகாவா ராயினும் நாகாக்க காவாக்கால்
சோகாப்பர் சொல்லிழுக்குப் பட்டு.

Yaakaavaa Raayinum Naakaakka Kaavaakkaal
Sokaappar Sollizhukkup Pattu

Rein the tongue if nothing else Or slips of tongue bring all the woes

Meaning: Whatever besides you leave unguarded, guard your tongue; otherwise errors of speech and the consequent misery will ensue

ஒன்றானுந் தீச்சொல் பொருட்பயன் உண்டாயின்
நன்றாகா தாகி விடும்.

Ondraanun Theechchol Porutpayan Untaayin
Nandraakaa Thaaki Vitum

Even a single evil word Will turn all good results to bad

Meaning: If a man's speech be productive of a single evil, all the good by him will be turned into evil

தீயினாற் சுட்டபுண் உள்ளாறும் ஆறாதே
நாவினாற் சுட்ட வடு.

Theeyinaar Suttapun Ullaarum Aaraadhe
Naavinaar Sutta Vatu

The fire-burnt wounds do find a cure Tongue-burnt wound rests a running sore

Meaning: The wound which has been burnt in by fire may heal, but a wound burnt in by the tongue will never heal

கதங்காத்துக் கற்றடங்கல் ஆற்றுவான் செவ்வி
அறம்பார்க்கும் ஆற்றின் நுழைந்து.

Kadhangaaththuk Katratangal Aatruvaan Sevvi
Arampaarkkum Aatrin Nuzhaindhu

Virtue seeks and peeps to see Self-controlled savant anger free

Meaning: Virtue, seeking for an opportunity, will come into the path of that man who, possessed of learning and self-control, guards himself against anger