Folly (By St. Thiruvalluvar) Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

831. The folly in one gives access to crimes
and foregoes the gain.
832. It is the folly of all follies
to be pulled to do mean deeds.
833. The fool is shameless to do the bad, for not seeking good,
for being loveless and for not liking desirable things.
834. The most ignorant is one who teaches others
the values of good works rather than to himself.
835. All the misdeeds of seven births which bog one down in hell
are wrought by the stupid in a single birth.
836. The know-how of an act a fool knows not;
not only in doing it he fails but gets his hands chained.
837. When the Fortune smiles at the fool, his neighbours feed on
but ravenous are his dearones.
838. When the fool’s hand grasps some hoard,
as a mad man he raves in his drunken glee.
839. Parting with a fool gives not any pang.
Friendship with him hence is always a cheer.
840. The intrusion of a fool into the assembly of the wise
is like putting your dirty feet on your bed.