Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Civil (குடியியல்) — Baseness (கயமை)

Kural 1071:
மக்களே போல்வர் கயவர் அவரன்ன
ஒப்பாரி யாங்கண்ட தில்.
makkaLae poalvar kayavar avaranna
oppaari yaangaNda thil
English couplet:
The base resemble men in outward form, I ween;
But counterpart exact to them I've never seen.
Explanation: The base resemble men perfectly (as regards form); and we have not seen such (exact) resemblance (among any other species).

Kural 1072:
நன்றறி வாரிற் கயவர் திருவுடையர்
நெஞ்சத்து அவலம் இலர்.
nandraRi vaariR kayavar thiruvudaiyar
nenjaththu avalam ilar
English couplet:
Than those of grateful heart the base must luckier be,
Their minds from every anxious thought are free!.
Explanation: The low enjoy more felicity than those who know what is good; for the former are not troubled with anxiety (as to the good).

Kural 1073:
தேவர் அனையர் கயவர் அவருந்தாம்
மேவன செய்தொழுக லான்.
thaevar anaiyar kayavar avarundhaam
maevana seydhozhuka laan
English couplet:
The base are as the Gods; they too
Do ever what they list to do!.
Explanation: The base resemble the Gods; for the base act as they like.

Kural 1074:
அகப்பட்டி ஆவாரைக் காணின் அவரின்
மிகப்பட்டுச் செம்மாக்கும் கீழ்.
akappatti aavaaraik kaaNin avarin
mikappattuch chemmaakkum keezh
English couplet:
When base men those behold of conduct vile,
They straight surpass them, and exulting smile.
Explanation: The base feels proud when he sees persons whose acts meaner than his own.

Kural 1075:
அச்சமே கீழ்களது ஆசாரம் எச்சம்
அவாவுண்டேல் உண்டாம் சிறிது.
achchamae keezhkaLadhu aasaaram echcham
avaavuNdael uNtaam siRidhu
English couplet:
Fear is the base man's virtue; if that fail,
Intense desire some little may avail.
Explanation: (The principle of) behaviour in the mean is chiefly fear; if not, hope of gain, to some extent.

Kural 1076:
அறைபறை அன்னர் கயவர்தாம் கேட்ட
மறைபிறர்க்கு உய்த்துரைக்க லான்.
aRaipaRai annar kayavardhaam kaetta
maRaipiRarkku uyththuraikka laan
English couplet:
The base are like the beaten drum; for, when they hear
The sound the secret out in every neighbour's ear.
Explanation: The base are like a drum that is beaten, for they unburden to others the secrets they have heard

Kural 1077:
ஈர்ங்கை விதிரார் கயவர் கொடிறுடைக்கும்
கூன்கையர் அல்லா தவர்க்கு.
eerngai vidhiraar kayavar kotiRudaikkum
koon-kaiyar allaa thavarkku
English couplet:
From off their moistened hands no clinging grain they shake,
Unless to those with clenched fist their jaws who break.
Explanation: The mean will not (even) shake off (what sticks to) their hands (soon after a meal) to any but those who would break their jaws with their clenched fists.

Kural 1078:
சொல்லப் பயன்படுவர் சான்றோர் கரும்புபோல்
கொல்லப் பயன்படும் கீழ்.
Sollap Payanpatuvar Saandror Karumpupol
Kollap Payanpatum Keezh
English couplet:
The good to those will profit yield fair words who use;
The base, like sugar-cane, will profit those who bruise.
Explanation: The great bestow (their alms) as soon as they are informed; (but) the mean, like the sugar-cane, only when they are tortured to death.

Kural 1079:
உடுப்பதூஉம் உண்பதூஉம் காணின் பிறர்மேல்
வடுக்காண வற்றாகும் கீழ்.
uduppadhooum uNpadhooum kaaNin piRarmael
vadukkaaNa vatraakum keezh
English couplet:
If neighbours clothed and fed he see, the base
Is mighty man some hidden fault to trace?.
Explanation: The base will bring an evil (accusation) against others, as soon as he sees them (enjoying) good food and clothing.

Kural 1080:
எற்றிற் குரியர் கயவரொன்று உற்றக்கால்
விற்றற்கு உரியர் விரைந்து.
Etrir Kuriyar Kayavarondru Utrakkaal
Vitrarku Uriyar Viraindhu
English couplet:
For what is base man fit, if griefs assail?
Himself to offer, there and then, for sale!.
Explanation: The base will hasten to sell themselves as soon as a calamity has befallen them. For what else are they fitted ?.