Spiritual Gems from Tirukural: III

“Food, clothing and such do not differ much among people;

what distinguishes good men from others is modesty.”

 

“Their families decrease and their vices increase when men,

ensnared in sloth, do not put forth earnest effort.”

 

“As a man’s shadow follows his footsteps wherever he goes,

even so will destruction pursue those who commit sinful deeds.”

 

“All that you learn, learn perfectly, and

thereafter keep your conduct worthy of that learning.”

 

“Words from the lips of upright men

are like a steadying staff in a slippery place.”

 

“Give to the poor and become praiseworthy.

Life offers no greater reward than this.”

 

“They say love’s greatness is this: it yields to good families

worldly happiness here and heavenly bliss hereafter.”

 

“Disparaging words are painful even when uttered in jest.

Hence, knowers of human nature are courteous even to enemies”

 

“A married woman is one who vigilantly guards herself,

cares for her husband and protects their unblemished reputation.”

 

“Touch, taste, sight, smell and hearing are the senses–

he who controls these five magically controls the world.”

 

“There is nothing too difficult for the man who

consciously conceives and carefully executes his work.”

 

“A fortune amassed by fraud may appear to prosper

but will all too soon perish altogether.”

 

(Source: Spiritual Teachings-Himalayan Academy, Hawaii, USA)