The Worth of a Wife
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illatu eṉ illavaḷ māṇbu āṉāl uḷḷatu eṉ / illavaḷ māṇāk kaḍai
“There is no lack within the house, where wife in worth excels, There is no luck within the house, where wife dishonoured dwells.”
“Where is indigence if the wife is worthy? and where is riches if worth is not in her?”
What blessing is lacking if the companion of the house is noble? And what is truly gained if she lacks inner nobility?
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இல்லவள் மாண்பு ஆனால் இல்லது என் = (ஒருவனுக்கு) இல்லாள், நற்குண நற்செய்கையள் ஆயினக்கால் இல்லாதது யாது? இல்லவள் மாணாக் கடை உள்ளது என் = அவள் அன்னளல்லாக்கால் உள்ளது யாது? ('மாண்பு' எனக் குணத்தின்பெயர், குணிமேல் நின்றது.)
Source: Tamil Wikisource
What blessing is lacking in a home if the companion is endowed with noble grace? And what can truly be possessed if she lacks that inner nobility?