Nature Of The Great Men [ From 'proverbs 400' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

69. If the matchless ruby sinks into the mire
the dirt doesn't stick on and so it gleams.
The greatness of the hero is on par
to that of the hundred thousand lesser folks.

70. Even if the pangs of hunger sting in drought
the tiger doesn't graze the grass.
Even when poverty afflicts the wise men
they don't go down from their level.

71. When a building is demolished, the woodwork
are useful while raising a new building.
Though the great men fall from wealth to dearth, they don't
lose good nature. No penury, no glory.

72. O, chief of the beauteous hills! For the experts
in gems, ruby is always ruby, though mired.
Though strifes tear up a great man of high status
The wise respect them as before.

73. No one sells needles in the smithy.
The high-born may lack the knowledge of the wise
among the low-born but excel in virtues.
Don't try to preach the wise for their enhancement.

74. O, chief of the coast abounding in flowers
with petals and leaves! We know the kings who gave
their cars[chariots] to the Jasmine creepers and bedspreads
to the shaking peacock. The wise keep calm.

75. Lord Thirumal who protects the herd of cows
will also be blamed back if He blames one.
The great men of honour in the council
of the wise, don't say hurtful words on others.

76. " I'm the witness to the mean act of knocking
on the door of a seer", said the southern king,
and cut his hand himself. The wise men
don't do mean acts thinking that no one knows.

77. From the one fearless of doing evil things
speaking lies and slanders, but feigning as good
with some sweet words, the good men leave in silence.
Keeps off the harmful bow, the scared crow.

78. O, chief of the vast coast with birds perched
In the palmyra nests! Though the body shrinks
in hot hunger, the restrained high-born don't own
things of others. The straw doesn't stick to the sea.

79. O, chief of the hills where the does milk the fawns!
The faults of Thirumal with rings on His arms
don't rid of Him. The flaws in great men too
don't leave as the brand on a white cow.

80. The violent crimes committed for long
by the lowly, hardcore criminals aren't seen.
But a single fault done by the great man
is seen by all like the lamp lit on a hill.