Tirukkural Chapter 12 - Couplets 7,8,9,10 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -THIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 12 - நடுவு நிலைமை
CHAPTER 12 - EQUALITY.
***
12/07. கெடுவாக வையாது உலகம் நடுவாக
நன்றிக்கண் தங்கியான் தாழ்வு.

12/07. Keduvaaga vaiyadhu ulagam naduvaaga
Nanrrikkann thangiyaan thaazhvu.

12/07. If a great man lives with equality and virtuous habits,
He'll not worry if his financial status goes down.
***
Disciple: Great men will not feel sorry
For their failures in life.

Guru: Yes, they're so well matured
In their lives, they're not worried
About their status downfall,
Nor even thinking of it at all.

Great men, with faith in God,
Do not get upset over bad
Nor rejoice over good.
About life they've well understood

That is why they're great,
Not depending upon fate,
But upon the Almighty,
Who decides their destiny.
***
12/08. சமன்செய்து சீர்தூக்கும் கோல்போல் அமைந்தொருபால்
கோடாமை சான்றோர்க்கு அணி.

12/08. How both sides of a balance hang equally, when empty
Or loaded, similarly wise men never take one side.
***
Disciple: Guruji, A judge cannot take one side
But hear both sides before giving judgment.

Guru: Yes, if he takes one side,
The result will be one sided,
That'll not any day stand,
As it can be challenged.

Over the eyes of Lady Justice
The statue next to a judge,
A black cloth strip is tied
So, it can't see any side.

In its one hand it holds
A small hanging balance
To represent both sides
In all the court cases.
***
12/09. சொற்கோட்டம் இல்லது செப்பம்; ஒருதலையா
உட்கோட்டம் இன்மை பெறின்.

12/09. Sorrkaottam illadhu seppam; oruthalaiya
Utkottam inmai perrin.

12/09. If one is mentally strong, his words will stand
Maintaining equality in his utterances.
***
Disciple: So, a man cannot be weak
But remain strong to maintain equality?

Guru: A weak man can go wrong,
But a man who is strong
Can apply his mind deeply,
And give judgment properly.

Not like monkey and cat
Story where two cats
Went to a monkey
To divide the cake equally.

The smart monkey ate
Almost all on the plate
And the final piece
It ate for its fees.
***
12/10. வாணிகம் செய்வார்க்கு வாணிகம்; பேணிப்
பிறவும் தம்போல் செயின்.

12/10. Vannigam Seivaarkku vannigam; Pennip
Pirravum thampol seyin.

12/10. If merchant thinks other's things like his own
Then his dealings will be fair enough.
***
Disciple: How a merchant should treat others?

Guru: A merchant should be fair
In his dealings, if he is unfair
He'll be losing business,
This must he first knows.

He cannot also reveal
The price that is real
As he as to earn profit
To maintain himself fit.

He should not exploit,
Or abnormally cheat
His regular customers,
If he wants run business.
***