Chapter 97: Honour

இன்றி அமையாச் சிறப்பின ஆயினும்
குன்ற வருப விடல்.

Indri Amaiyaach Chirappina Aayinum
Kundra Varupa Vital

Though needed for your life in main, From mean degrading acts refrain

Meaning: Actions that would degrade (one's) family should not be done; though they may be so important that not doing them would end in death

சீரினும் சீரல்ல செய்யாரே சீரொடு
பேராண்மை வேண்டு பவர்.

Seerinum Seeralla Seyyaare Seerotu
Peraanmai Ventu Pavar

Who seek honour and manly fame Don't do mean deeds even for name

Meaning: Those who desire (to maintain their) honour, will surely do nothing dishonourable, even for the sake of fame

பெருக்கத்து வேண்டும் பணிதல் சிறிய
சுருக்கத்து வேண்டும் உயர்வு.

Perukkaththu Ventum Panidhal Siriya
Surukkaththu Ventum Uyarvu

Be humble in prosperity In decline uphold dignity

Meaning: In great prosperity humility is becoming; dignity, in great adversity

தலையின் இழிந்த மயிரனையர் மாந்தர்
நிலையின் இழிந்தக் கடை.

Thalaiyin Izhindha Mayiranaiyar Maandhar
Nilaiyin Izhindhak Katai

Like hair fallen from head are those Who fall down from their high status

Meaning: They who have fallen from their (high) position are like the hair which has fallen from the head

குன்றின் அனையாரும் குன்றுவர் குன்றுவ
குன்றி அனைய செயின்.

Kundrin Anaiyaarum Kundruvar Kundruva
Kundri Anaiya Seyin

Even hill-like men will sink to nought With abrus-grain-like small default

Meaning: Even those who are exalted like a hill will be thought low, if they commit deeds that are debasing

புகழ்இன்றால் புத்தேள்நாட்டு உய்யாதால் என்மற்று
இகழ்வார்பின் சென்று நிலை.

Pukazhindraal Puththelnaattu Uyyaadhaal Enmatru
Ikazhvaarpin Sendru Nilai

Why fawn on men that scorn you here It yields no fame, heaven's bliss neither

Meaning: Why follow men who scorn, and at their bidding wait?

ஒட்டார்பின் சென்றொருவன் வாழ்தலின் அந்நிலையே
கெட்டான் எனப்படுதல் நன்று.

Ottaarpin Sendroruvan Vaazhdhala�n Annilaiye
Kettaan Enappatudhal Nandru

Better it is to die forlorn Than live as slaves of those who scorn

Meaning: It is better for a man to be said of him that he died in his usual state than that he eked out his life by following those who disgraced him

மருந்தோமற்று ஊன்ஓம்பும் வாழ்க்கை பெருந்தகைமை
பீடழிய வந்த இடத்து.

Marundhomatru Oonompum Vaazhkkai Perundhakaimai
Peetazhiya Vandha Itaththu

Is nursing body nectar sweet Even when one's honour is lost?

Meaning: For the high-born to keep their body in life when their honour is gone will certainly not prove a remedy against death

மயிர்நீப்பின் வாழாக் கவரிமா அன்னார்
உயிர்நீப்பர் மானம் வரின்.

Mayirneeppin Vaazhaak Kavarimaa Annaar
Uyirneeppar Maanam Varin

Honour lost, the noble expire Like a yak that loses its hair

Meaning: Those who give up (their) life when (their) honour is at stake are like the yark which kills itself at the loss of (even one of) its hairs

இளிவரின் வாழாத மானம் உடையார்
ஒளிதொழுது ஏத்தும் உலகு.

Ilivarin Vaazhaadha Maanam Utaiyaar
Olidhozhudhu Eththum Ulaku

Their light the world adores and hails Who will not live when honour fails

Meaning: The world will (always) praise and adore the fame of the honourable who would rather die than suffer indignity