Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Civil (குடியியல்) — Greatness (பெருமை)

Kural 971:
ஒளிஒருவற்கு உள்ள வெறுக்கை இளிஒருவற்கு
அஃதிறந்து வாழ்தும் எனல்.
oLi-oruvaRku uLLa veRukkai iLi-oruvaRku
aqdhiRandhu vaazhdhum enal
English couplet:
The light of life is mental energy; disgrace is his
Who says, 'I 'ill lead a happy life devoid of this.'
Explanation: One's light is the abundance of one's courage; one's darkness is the desire to live destitute of such (a state of mind).

Kural 972:
பிறப்பொக்கும் எல்லா உயிர்க்கும் சிறப்பொவ்வா
செய்தொழில் வேற்றுமை யான்.
piRappokkum ellaa uyirkkum siRappovvaa
seydhozhil vaetrumai yaan
English couplet:
All men that live are one in circumstances of birth;
Diversities of works give each his special worth.
Explanation: All human beings agree as regards their birth but differ as regards their characteristics, because of the different qualities of their actions.

Kural 973:
மேலிருந்தும் மேலல்லார் மேலல்லர் கீழிருந்தும்
கீழல்லார் கீழல் லவர்.
maelirundhum maelallaar maelallar keezhirundhum
keezhallaar keezhal lavar
English couplet:
The men of lofty line, whose souls are mean, are never great
The men of lowly birth, when high of soul, are not of low estate.
Explanation: Though (raised) above, the base cannot become great; though (brought) low, the great cannot become base.

Kural 974:
ஒருமை மகளிரே போலப் பெருமையும்
தன்னைத்தான் கொண்டொழுகின் உண்டு.
orumai makaLirae poalap perumaiyum
thannaiththaan koNtozhukin undu
English couplet:
Like single-hearted women, greatness too,
Exists while to itself is true.
Explanation: Even greatness, like a woman's chastity, belongs only to him who guards himself.

Kural 975:
பெருமை யுடையவர் ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றின்
அருமை உடைய செயல்.
perumai yudaiyavar aatruvaar aatrin
arumai udaiya seyal
English couplet:
The man endowed with greatness true,
Rare deeds in perfect wise will do.
Explanation: (Though reduced) the great will be able to perform, in the proper way, deeds difficult (for others to do).

Kural 976:
சிறியார் உணர்ச்சியுள் இல்லை பெரியாரைப்
பேணிக்கொள் வேமென்னும் நோக்கு
siRiyaar uNarchchiyul illai periyaaraip
paeNikkoL vaemennum noakku
English couplet:
'As votaries of the truly great we will ourselves enroll,'
Is thought that enters not the mind of men of little soul.
Explanation: It is never in the nature of the base to seek the society of the great and partake of their nature.

Kural 977:
இறப்பே புரிந்த தொழிற்றாம் சிறப்புந்தான்
சீரல் லவர்கண் படின்.
iRappae purindha thozhitraam siRappundhaan
seeral lavarkaN patin
English couplet:
Whene'er distinction lights on some unworthy head,
Then deeds of haughty insolence are bred.
Explanation: Even nobility of birth, wealth and learning, if in (the possession of) the base, will (only) produce everincreasing pride.

Kural 978:
பணியுமாம் என்றும் பெருமை சிறுமை
அணியுமாம் தன்னை வியந்து.
paNiyumaam endrum perumai siRumai
aNiyumaam thannai viyandhu
English couplet:
Greatness humbly bends, but littleness always
Spreads out its plumes, and loads itself with praise.
Explanation: The great will always humble himself; but the mean will exalt himself in self-admiration.

Kural 979:
பெருமை பெருமிதம் இன்மை சிறுமை
பெருமிதம் ஊர்ந்து விடல்.
perumai perumidham inmai siRumai
perumidham oorndhu vidal
English couplet:
Greatness is absence of conceit; meanness, we deem,
Riding on car of vanity supreme.
Explanation: Freedom from conceit is (the nature of true) greatness; (while) obstinacy therein is (that of) meanness.

Kural 980:
அற்றம் மறைக்கும் பெருமை சிறுமைதான்
குற்றமே கூறி விடும்.
atram maRaikkum perumai siRumaidhaan
kutramae kooRi vidum
English couplet:
Greatness will hide a neighbour's shame;
Meanness his faults to all the world proclaim.
Explanation: The great hide the faults of others; the base only divulge them.