Acts Of The Great Men [from 'proverbs 400' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

81. An uncared calf born to a good bull graze
on something, without grass but be a good bull
later.A noble born though he lacks wealth
continues his acts of charity somehow.

82. O, young beautiful peacock-like wench!
The great men gripped in penury don't wait
for good times to help others. They perform
their duties even by borrowing a loan.

83. O, wench with dyed eyes and elegant jewels!
True statements to one who nods to the lies
of the foes in war do nothing. The wisemen
despite consuming things of others, speak truth.

84. O, wench with soft bosom and gold bangles!
Don't talk about his doing crimes here or there.
Don't refuse him friendship blaming his virtues.
No one goes off not beating the drum one owns.

85. O, owner of the coast with huge breaking waves!
Do the great men change their nature when those
who got their help lack good character?
Isn't their duty to give food to the known friends?

86. The biting snake passing through the throng
of the great men, won't die. The high-born pity
the foes seeing their plight though they caused distress.
and deviated from the ways so good.

87. The noble born in want reaches the low-born
and stay with him as the leased goods till their end
without thinking that it isn't honourable
to live with the lowly men.

88. O, wench with fear striking spear-shaped shining
leaves like eyes! Though one is born in noble
family, treat the low-born as of one's race.
The fibres joining the flowers too smell sweet.

89. O, girl with honey shedding wreaths and jewels
of high worth! On thinking we find old ghee spoils
not like buttermilk. The want in great men is
better than the huge wealth of the low born.