Chapter 6: The Worth of a Wife

மனைக்தக்க மாண்புடையள் ஆகித்தற் கொண்டான்
வளத்தக்காள் வாழ்க்கைத் துணை.

Manaikdhakka Maanputaiyal Aakiththar Kontaan
Valaththakkaal Vaazhkkaith Thunai

A good housewife befits the house, Spending with thrift the mate's resource

Meaning: She who has the excellence of home virtues, and can expend within the means of her husband, is a help in the domestic state

மனைமாட்சி இல்லாள்கண் இல்லாயின் வாழ்க்கை
எனைமாட்சித் தாயினும் இல்.

Manaimaatchi Illaalkan Illaayin Vaazhkkai
Enaimaatchith Thaayinum Il

Bright is home when wife is chaste If not all greatness is but waste

Meaning: If the wife be devoid of domestic excellence, whatever (other) greatness be possessed, the conjugal state, is nothing

இல்லதென் இல்லவள் மாண்பானால் உள்ளதென்
இல்லவள் மாணாக் கடை?

Illadhen Illaval Maanpaanaal Ulladhen
Illaval Maanaak Katai?

What is rare when wife is good What can be there when she is bad?

Meaning: If his wife be eminent (in virtue), what does (that man) not possess ? If she be without excellence, what does (he) possess ?

பெண்ணின் பெருந்தக்க யாவுள கற்பென்னும்
திண்மைஉண் டாகப் பெறின்.

Pennin Perundhakka Yaavula Karpennum
Thinmaiun Taakap Perin

What greater fortune is for men Than a constant chaste woman?

Meaning: What is more excellent than a wife, if she possess the stability of chastity ?

தெய்வம் தொழாஅள் கொழுநன் தொழுதெழுவாள்
பெய்யெனப் பெய்யும் மழை.

Theyvam Thozhaaal Kozhunan Thozhudhezhuvaal
Peyyenap Peyyum Mazhai

Her spouse before God who adores, Is like rain that at request pours

Meaning: If she, who does not worship God, but who rising worships her husband, say, "let it rain," it will rain

தற்காத்துத் தற்கொண்டாற் பேணித் தகைசான்ற
சொற்காத்துச் சோர்விலாள் பெண்.

Tharkaaththuth Tharkontaar Penith Thakaisaandra
Sorkaaththuch Chorvilaal Pen

The good wife guards herself from blame, She tends her spouse and brings him fame

Meaning: She is a wife who unweariedly guards herself, takes care of her husband, and preserves an unsullied fame

சிறைகாக்கும் காப்பெவன் செய்யும் மகளிர்
நிறைகாக்கும் காப்பே தலை.

Siraikaakkum Kaappevan Seyyum Makalir
Niraikaakkum Kaappe Thalai

Of what avail are watch and ward? Their purity is women's guard

Meaning: What avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity

பெற்றாற் பெறின்பெறுவர் பெண்டிர் பெருஞ்சிறப்புப்
புத்தேளிர் வாழும் உலகு.

Petraar Perinperuvar Pentir Perunjirappup
Puththelir Vaazhum Ulaku

Women who win their husbands' heart Shall flourish where the gods resort

Meaning: If women shew reverence to their husbands, they will obtain great excellence in the world where the gods flourish

புகழ்புரிந்த இல்லிலோர்க்கு இல்லை இகழ்வார்முன்
ஏறுபோல் பீடு நடை.

Pukazhpurindha Illilorkku Illai Ikazhvaarmun
Erupol Peetu Natai

A cuckold has not the lion-like gait Before his detractors aright

Meaning: The man whose wife seeks not the praise (of chastity) cannot walk with lion-like stately step, before those who revile them

மங்கலம் என்ப மனைமாட்சி மற்று அதன்
நன்கலம் நன்மக்கட் பேறு.

Mangalam Enpa Manaimaatchi Matru
Adhan Nankalam Nanmakkat Peru

An honest wife is home's delight And children good are jewels abright

Meaning: The excellence of a wife is the good of her husband; and good children are the jewels of that goodness