The Illiterates And The Wise [from 'ancient Maxims' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

1. Can he do it well in his old age
When he fails to learn in tender youth?
None gets the toll to goods to cross the Customs
and none gets wages from those who sail across.

2. O, wench of good conduct! An illiterate's
knowledge weakens when he speaks before the wise.
So, no raising of queries gets no answers
and no dreams dreamt will breed no deeds.

3. O, Chief of the country in plenty! Wisdom
attained out of proper learning becomes vile
when expressed before the illiterates.
No kindred will make one's nation a jungle.

4. O, wench with beetles seeking sword-like eyes!
The wise seek the willing listeners to quote
What they've learned. The wise don't enter
councils with the matter of little learning.

5. O, Chief of the town with abundant water!
The wisdom of the wise, the wise alone can know.
It isn't easy for the commoners to know.
A snake alone knows the limbs of a snake.