Proverbs Four Hundred(Classical Tamil Poetry) Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

1. Education in Youth (1)
Can he do it well in his old age
Who failed to learn in tender youth?
Not one could get toll for the goods to cross the Customs
or the sailor to get wages for taking people across the river.

2. Don't Enter the Houses of Friends Alone (335)
Let not the pure-minded enter alone the houses of friends
As the town to spread rumours has growing trends.
No one will vouch for your innocence.If the torrents swell
No dam can stop its revel.

3. Do Acts of Charity even for a While (367)
O you wench with clothes clad around a breaking waist!
No benevolence of the acts of virtue your kin will do.
Though they have refrained from charity for long,
they can do now in great ways a shorter while.