Self-Control [from 'proverbs Four Hundred' In Tamil Language] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

21. Knowing the old men's doubts of the youth's skills
to make the enquiry, the young Chozhan wore
grey-hairs probed the dispute and gave the verdict.
The clan wisdom blossoms forth without learning.

22. O, Chief of the coasts with Punnai flowers!
They seem the lizard's eggs and spread their petals.
To quell the vexed speech by words is to shout down
the roars of the sea by the howls of the fox.

23. O, Chief of the wet fertile lands where the crane
sleeps on the back of the buffalo! No one
digs the pond searching the abode of the frogs.
One who has rare things doesn't seek the customers.

24. To give that you can and refuse that you haven't
isn't a fault. It is natural in this world.
Eating without sharing with the one who wants
your help, spoils the joy of both in the next birth.

25. You help him who stayed with you in pain
but he satisfies not, wants more and more.
It is like one digging deep in the hole,
wants to see the snake! All sorts of men are here

26. When hunger afflicts an ascetic, who'd rid
of his intense desire, eats the meat. It likens
one who swims across the sea, sinks into
a pool of water deep of a calf's feet.

27. Is there no poison to kill this wretch, hell-bent
on going to hell.? Without thinking, he's
fearless to do evil, humiliate those who
accompany, do hateful deeds against the great.

28. He who can't guard himself mocks his friends and foes
with hurt words, scares to strike but takes to heels.
He is the man who breaks himself the vessel
at which he usually takes his food.

29. God created the world and the distress to us.
Hope, He would ward us off from pain. Worship Him
but make efforts to clear your pain. No one leaves
the faulty written palm leaf rectified.

30. If the wench wearing jewels of beauty lacks
self-control, one can't guard her from lustful life.
I defy them who think otherwise.
Never can one keep a dog's tail straight.