Knowing Strength
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aḷavaṟintu vāḻātāṉ vāḻkkai yuḷapōla / villākit tōṉṟāk keṭum.
“Who prosperous lives and of enjoyment knows no bound, / His seeming wealth, departing, nowhere shall be found.”
“Behold the man that taketh not account of his measure nor liveth within the bounds thereof: he may look like prospering, but he will perish leaving no trace behind.”
The life of one who does not live according to known means appears to exist, then becomes nothing and vanishes without even that appearance.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அளவு அறிந்து வாழாதான் வாழ்க்கை= தனக்கு உள்ள பொருளின் எல்லையை அறிந்து அதற்கு ஏற்ப வாழமாட்டாதான் வாழ்க்கைகள்; உளபோல இல்லாகித் தோன்றாக் கெடும்= உள்ளனபோலத் தோன்றி, மெய்ம்மையான் இல்லையாய்ப் பின்பு அத்தோற்றமும் இன்றிக் கெட்டுவிடும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The life of one who does not live within their known means may appear prosperous for a moment, but it holds no real substance and will soon vanish without leaving even a trace.