Four Pearls Inlaid Ornament [97- 99] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

97. A good man's fame never wanes by a slur cast on him.
Iron contains impurities even if you wash it down.
Punishment to the low-born never amends them.
The low-born exhibits mean nature even if you try to correct him.

98. It is wise to stick to the great men.
Living with the disagreeable gives pain like the wounds.
The rebukes of friends hurt but sweeten at the end like a lute.
The house sans a good wife likens a desolate one.

99. A small tank swells and overflows quickly.
When income reduces, the wife's abuses cross the limits.
Short penance in former birth, enhances the evil to harm.
When strength diminishes, the foes increase.



97. A good man's fame never wanes by a slur cast on him.
Iron contains impurities even if you wash it down.
Punishment to the low-born never amends them.
The low-born exhibit their nature even if you try to correct them.
98. It is wise to stick to the great men.
Living with the disagreeable gives pain like the wounds.
The rebukes of friends hurt but sweeten at the end like a lute.
The house sans a good wife likens a desolate one.
99. A small tank swells and overflows quickly.
When income reduces, the wife's abuses cross the limits.
Little penance in the former birth, the evil enhances and harms.
When strength diminishes, the foes increase.