The Possession Of Decency (By St. Thiruvalluvar) Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

131.As decency gives eminence,
it should be preserved more meticulously than life.
132.Strain yourself to protect your decorum.Of the virtues,
Known and probed, decorum alone gives you support.
133.Modesty is a sign of high birth.
Immodesty is the nature of mean birth.
134.The Scriptures learnt, if forgotten, can be relearnt; but
the fall of a scholar from decency ruins his high birth.
135.As the envious man is bereft of wealth,
an indecent man has no progress in life.
136.As the breach of good demeanour brings disgrace
the firm hearted won't go down from their good conduct.
137.Propriety propels people to attain greatness.
Impropriety brings unattainable disgrace to them.
138.Self-discipline is the seed of a joyous life.
But indiscipline yields sorrow for ever.
139.Saying evil words even by a slip of tongue
is unbecoming for people of good decorum.
140.If the erudite dwell not in harmony with the world,
ignorant and senseless they are! .