Chapter 4: Assertion of the Strength of Virtue

சிறப்புஈனும் செல்வமும் ஈனும் அறத்தினூஉங்கு
ஆக்கம் எவனோ உயிர்க்கு.

Sirappu Eenum Selvamum Eenum
Araththinooungu Aakkam Evano Uyirkku

From virtue weal and wealth outflow; What greater good can mankind know?

Meaning: Virtue will confer heaven and wealth; what greater source of happiness can man possess ?

அறத்தினூஉங்கு ஆக்கமும் இல்லை அதனை
மறத்தலின் ஊங்கில்லை கேடு.

Araththinooungu Aakkamum Illai Adhanai
Maraththalin Oongillai Ketu

Virtue enhances joy and gain; Forsaking it is fall and pain

Meaning: There can be no greater source of good than (the practice of) virtue; there can be no greater source of evil than the forgetfulness of it

ஒல்லும் வகையான் அறவினை ஓவாதே
செல்லும்வாய் எல்லாஞ் செயல்.

Ollum Vakaiyaan Aravinai Ovaadhe
Sellumvaai Ellaanj Cheyal

Perform good deeds as much you can Always and everywhere, o man!

Meaning: As much as possible, in every way, incessantly practise virtue

மனத்துக்கண் மாசிலன் ஆதல் அனைத்தறன்
ஆகுல நீர பிற.

Manaththukkan Maasilan Aadhal Anaiththu
Aran Aakula Neera Pira

In spotless mind virtue is found And not in show and swelling sound

Meaning: Let him who does virtuous deeds be of spotless mind; to that extent is virtue; all else is vain show

அழுக்காறு அவாவெகுளி இன்னாச்சொல் நான்கும்
இழுக்கா இயன்றது அறம்.

Azhukkaaru Avaavekuli Innaachchol Naankum
Izhukkaa Iyandradhu Aram

Four ills eschew and virtue reach, Lust, anger, envy, evil-speech

Meaning: That conduct is virtue which is free from these four things, viz, malice, desire, anger and bitter speech

அன்றறிவாம் என்னாது அறஞ்செய்க மற்றது
பொன்றுங்கால் பொன்றாத் துணை.

Andrarivaam Ennaadhu Aranjeyka Matradhu
Pondrungaal Pondraath Thunai

Do good enow; defer it not A deathless aid in death if sought

Meaning: Defer not virtue to another day; receive her now; and at the dying hour she will be your undying friend

அறத்தாறு இதுவென வேண்டா சிவிகை
பொறுத்தானோடு ஊர்ந்தான் இடை.

Araththaaru Ithuvena Ventaa Sivikai
Poruththaanotu Oorndhaan Itai

Litter-bearer and rider say Without a word, the fortune's way

Meaning: The fruit of virtue need not be described in books; it may be inferred from seeing the bearer of a palanquin and the rider therein

வீழ்நாள் படாஅமை நன்றாற்றின் அஃதொருவன்
வாழ்நாள் வழியடைக்கும் கல்.

Veezhnaal Pataaamai Nandraatrin Aqdhoruvan
Vaazhnaal Vazhiyataikkum Kal

Like stones that block rebirth and pain Are doing good and good again

Meaning: If one allows no day to pass without some good being done, his conduct will be a stone to block up the passage to other births

அறத்தான் வருவதே இன்பம் மற்றெல்லாம்
புறத்த புகழும் இல.

Araththaan Varuvadhe Inpam Mar
Rellaam Puraththa Pukazhum Ila

Weal flows only from virtue done The rest is rue and renown gone

Meaning: Only that pleasure which flows from domestic virtue is pleasure; all else is not pleasure, and it is without praise

செயற்பால தோரும் அறனே ஒருவற்கு
உயற்பால தோரும் பழி.

Seyarpaala Thorum Arane Oruvarku
Uyarpaala Thorum Pazhi

Worthy act is virtue done Vice is what we ought to shun

Meaning: That is virtue which each ought to do, and that is vice which each should shun