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The Holy Kural
Written over two millenia ago by Saint Tiruvalluvar,
translated under the guidance of Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
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Verse 1071
Outwardly, vile men resemble human beings.
Never have we witnessed such a remarkable likeness.
Verse 1072
The low-minded are happier than men who know the good,
For they are never troubled by the pains of conscience.
Verse 1073
Wicked rogues resemble the gods,
For they, too, live doing whatever they want.
Verse 1074
When the vile meets the wicked he will outdo him
In his vices and pride himself on the achievement.
Verse 1075
Fear is the primary motive force of base men.
Apart from that, the desire for gain may motivate them, but only a little.
Verse 1076
Base men are like a bass drum,
For they sound off to others every secret they happen to hear.
Verse 1077
The wretched are too inhospitable to even shake the moisture from their
Just-washed hands, unless the visitor can shatter their jaw with clenched fist.
Verse 1078
The worthy yield their gifts when told of the need,
But, like the sugar cane, the low will yield theirs only by a deathly crushing.
Verse 1079
Let a low man see others well clothed and fed
And instantly their faults assail his sight.
Verse 1080
Is there anything for which ignoble men are suited?
Well, whenever crisis comes no one sells themselves more swiftly!
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The Holy Kural
Written over two millenia ago by Saint Tiruvalluvar,
translated under the guidance of Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Baseness |
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