Troublesome Forty [3- 5] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

3. It will be painful to live in a country ruled by a despot.
Without a raft, it is difficult to cross deep waters.
A Friendship of the speakers of harsh words is grievous.
Living with an unsteady mind will be distressing.

4. A tiller sans bulls suffers as the land goes dry before ploughing.
It is miserable to backtrack when the weapons change positions.
It will be agonizing to oppose the affluent.
To trouble the brave is troublesome.
5. To protect the sugar-cane crops without fencing is difficult.
Living in an old hut seeping in rains is miserable.
Unjust rule without justice is torturous.
Doing things without a probing mind gives anguish.