Knowing The Nature Of People From Their Facial Signs [from 'proverbs 400' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

142. Known aspects of one's character pave the way
to other aspects. A ladle of boiling
rice tells if it is cooked or not. Known manners
of one reveal one's unknown qualities.

143. O, chief of the coast with sweet smelling
water-lilies! Evil doers know not their deeds
as the hills hide our wild acts. Eyes sharper than
arrows know the acts of the mind from the face.

144. O, man with bright eyes! As the wet sand predicts
the coming floods, we know the wrath of one's mind
from the index of one's face. Though one hides
the intents of the mind, the face betrays.

145. Though our eyes don't look at our face, we see it
in the mirror. By looking at one's face
we know the intents of one's mind. Knowing
the son's wisdom, is father's wisdom known.

146. O, wench speaking honey-like words! It is hard
to probe one's inner nature by another.
The birds have the qualities of the land.
One's conduct reflects the clan of one's birth.

147. O, chief of the clouds shrouded hills! The herdswench
who cares the flock, the wife of a king, drinks not
the milk given as is of a grazing goat.
One can't hide the nature of one's clan.

148. O, wench with the eyes of the carp! The neighbour
senses the food cooked in one's house. The nature
of a sage is known by his company. So,
don't search for a witness to prove one's conduct.