Polity (பொருட்பால்) — The Excellence of an Army (படையில்) — Military Spirit (படைச்செருக்கு)

Kural 771:
என்னைமுன் நில்லன்மின் தெவ்விர் பலரென்னை
முன்நின்று கல்நின் றவர்.
ennaimun nillanmin thevvir palarennai
munnhindru kalnhin Ravar
English couplet:
Ye foes! stand not before my lord! for many a one
Who did my lord withstand, now stands in stone!.
Explanation: O my foes, stand not before my leader; (for) many are those who did so but afterwards stood (in the shape of) statues.

Kural 772:
கான முயலெய்த அம்பினில் யானை
பிழைத்தவேல் ஏந்தல் இனிது.
kaana muyaleydha ampinil yaanai
pizhaiththavael Endhal inidhu
English couplet:
Who aims at elephant, though dart should fail, has greater praise.
Than he who woodland hare with winged arrow slays.
Explanation: It is more pleasant to hold the dart that has missed an elephant than that which has hit hare in the forest.

Kural 773:
பேராண்மை என்ப தறுகண்ஒன் றுற்றக்கால்
ஊராண்மை மற்றதன் எஃகு.
paeraaNmai enpa thaRukaN-on Rutrakkaal
ooraaNmai matradhan eqku
English couplet:
Fierceness in hour of strife heroic greatness shows;
Its edge is kindness to our suffering foes.
Explanation: The learned say that fierceness (incontest with a foe) is indeed great valour; but to become a benefactor in case of accident (to a foe) is the extreme (limit) of that valour.

Kural 774:
கைவேல் களிற்றொடு போக்கி வருபவன்
மெய்வேல் பறியா நகும்.
kaivael kaLitrotu poakki varupavan
meyvael paRiyaa nakum
English couplet:
At elephant he hurls the dart in hand; for weapon pressed,
He laughs and plucks the javelin from his wounded breast.
Explanation: The hero who after casting the lance in his hand on an elephant, comes (in search of another) will pluck the one (that sticks) in his body and laugh (exultingly).

Kural 775:
விழித்தகண் வேல்கொண டெறிய அழித்திமைப்பின்
ஒட்டன்றோ வன்க ணவர்க்கு.
vizhiththakaN vaelkoNa teRiya azhiththimaippin
ottandroa van-ka Navarkku
English couplet:
To hero fearless must it not defeat appear,
If he but wink his eye when foemen hurls his spear.
Explanation: Is it not a defeat to the valiant to wink and destroy their ferocious look when a lance in cast at them (by their foe) ?.

Kural 776:
விழுப்புண் படாதநாள் எல்லாம் வழுக்கினுள்
வைக்கும்தன் நாளை எடுத்து.
vizhuppuN pataadhanhaal ellaam vazhukkinuL
vaikkumdhan naaLai eduththu
English couplet:
The heroes, counting up their days, set down as vain
Each day when they no glorious wound sustain.
Explanation: The hero will reckon among wasted days all those on which he had not received severe wounds.

Kural 777:
சுழலும் இசைவேண்டி வேண்டா உயிரார்
கழல்யாப்புக் காரிகை நீர்த்து.
suzhalum isaivaendi vaendaa uyiraar
kazhalyaappuk kaarikai neerththu
English couplet:
Who seek for world-wide fame, regardless of their life,
The glorious clasp adorns, sign of heroic strife.
Explanation: The fastening of ankle-ring by those who disire a world-wide renown and not (the safety of) their lives is like adorning (themselves).

Kural 778:
உறின்உயிர் அஞ்சா மறவர் இறைவன்
செறினும் சீர்குன்றல் இலர்.
uRinuyir anjaa maRavar iRaivan
seRinum seerkundral ilar
English couplet:
Fearless they rush where'er 'the tide of battle rolls';
The king's reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls.
Explanation: The heroes who are not afraid of losing their life in a contest will not cool their ardour, even if the king prohibits (their fighting).

Kural 779:
இழைத்தது இகவாமைச் சாவாரை யாரே
பிழைத்தது ஒறுக்கிற் பவர்.
izhaiththadhu ikavaamaich chaavaarai yaarae
pizhaiththadhu oRukkiR pavar
English couplet:
Who says they err, and visits them scorn,
Who die and faithful guard the vow they've sworn?.
Explanation: Who would reproach with failure those who seal their oath with their death ?.

Kural 780:
புரந்தார்கண் நீர்மல்கச் சாகிற்பின் சாக்காடு
இரந்துகோள் தக்கது உடைத்து.
purandhaarkaN nheermalkach chaakiRpin saakkaadu
irandhukoaL thakkadhu udaiththu
English couplet:
If monarch's eyes o'erflow with tears for hero slain,
Who would not beg such boon of glorious death to gain?.
Explanation: If (heroes) can so die as to fill with tears the eyes of their rulers, such a death deserves to be obtained even by begging.