Chapter 84: Folly

பேதைமை என்பதொன்று யாதெனின் ஏதங்கொண்டு
ஊதியம் போக விடல்.

Pedhaimai Enpadhondru Yaadhenin Edhangontu
Oodhiyam Poka Vital

This is folly's prominent vein To favour loss and forego gain

Meaning: Folly is one (of the chief defects); it is that which (makes one) incur loss and forego gain

பேதைமையுள் எல்லாம் பேதைமை காதன்மை
கையல்ல தன்கட் செயல்.

Pedhaimaiyul Ellaam Pedhaimai Kaadhanmai
Kaiyalla Thankat Seyal

Folly of follies is to lead A lewd and lawless life so bad

Meaning: The greatest folly is that which leads one to take delight in doing what is forbidden

நாணாமை நாடாமை நாரின்மை யாதொன்றும்
பேணாமை பேதை தொழில்

Naanaamai Naataamai Naarinmai Yaadhondrum
Penaamai Pedhai Thozhil

Shameless, aimless, callous, listless Such are the marks of foolishness

Meaning: Shamelessness indifference (to what must be sought after), harshness, and aversion for everything (that ought to be desired) are the qualities of the fool

ஓதி உணர்ந்தும் பிறர்க்குரைத்தும் தானடங்காப்
பேதையின் பேதையார் இல்.

Odhi Unarndhum Pirarkkuraiththum Thaanatangaap
Pedhaiyin Pedhaiyaar Il

No fool equals the fool who learns Knows, teaches, but self-control spurns

Meaning: There are no greater fools than he who, though he has read and understood (a great deal) and even taught it to others, does not walk according to his own teaching

ஒருமைச் செயலாற்றும் பேதை எழுமையும்
தான்புக் கழுந்தும் அளறு.

Orumaich Cheyalaatrum Pedhai Ezhumaiyum
Thaanpuk Kazhundhum Alaru

The fool suffers seven fold hells In single birth of hellish ills

Meaning: A fool can procure in a single birth a hell into which he may enter and suffer through all the seven births

பொய்படும் ஒன்றோ புனைபூணும் கையறியாப்
பேதை வினைமேற் கொளின்.

Poipatum Ondro Punaipoonum Kaiyariyaap
Pedhai Vinaimer Kolin

A know-nothing fool daring a deed Not only fails but feels fettered

Meaning: If the fool, who knows not how to act undertakes a work, he will (certainly) fail (But) is it all ? He will even adorn himself with fetters

ஏதிலார் ஆரத் தமர்பசிப்பர் பேதை
பெருஞ்செல்வம் உற்றக் கடை.

Edhilaar Aarath Thamarpasippar Pedhai
Perunjelvam Utrak Katai

Strangers feast and kinsmen fast When fools mishandle fortunes vast

Meaning: If a fool happens to get an immense fortune, his neighbours will enjoy it while his relations starve

மையல் ஒருவன் களித்தற்றால் பேதைதன்
கையொன்று உடைமை பெறின்.

Maiyal Oruvan Kaliththatraal Pedhaidhan
Kaiyondru Utaimai Perin

Fools possessing something on hand Like dazed and drunken stupids stand

Meaning: A fool happening to possess something is like the intoxication of one who is (already) giddy

பெரிதினிது பேதையார் கேண்மை பிரிவின்கண்
பீழை தருவதொன் றில்.

Peridhinidhu Pedhaiyaar Kenmai Pirivinkan
Peezhai Tharuvadhon Ril

Friendship with fools is highly sweet For without a groan we part

Meaning: The friendship between fools is exceedingly delightful (to each other): for at parting there will be

கழாஅக்கால் பள்ளியுள் வைத்தற்றால் சான்றோர்
குழாஅத்துப் பேதை புகல்.

Kazhaaakkaal Palliyul Vaiththatraal Saandror
Kuzhaaaththup Pedhai Pukal

Entrance of fools where Savants meet Looks like couch trod by unclean feet

Meaning: The appearance of a fool in an assembly of the learned is like placing (one's) unwashed feet on a bed