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Proverbs on Gold- Part 2
1053. இரும்பு செம்பானால் திரும்பிப் பொன் ஆகும். If iron can be converted into copper, Copper may be reconverted into gold.
1103. இழை ஆயிரம் பொன் பெற்ற இந்திரவர்ணப்பட்டு. A scarlet cloth each thread of which is worth a thousand gold pieces.
1262. உதாரிக்குப்பொன்னும்துரும்பு. Even gold is a thing of nought to the generous. 1406. ஊசி பொன்னானால் என்ன பெறும்? Though made of gold what will a needle fetch? 1421. ஊதாரிக்குப்பொன்னும்துரும்பு. Even gold is a thing of nought to the spendthrift.
1442. ஊரில்எளியாரைவண்ணான்அறிவான்சாதிப்பொன்பூண்டாரைத்தட்டான்அறிவான். The washerman knows the poor of a village, the goldsmith knows whose ornaments are made of fine gold.
1496. எடுத்தாலும் பங்காருப்பெட்டியை எடுக்கவேண்டும் இருந்தாலும் சிங்காரக் கழுவில் இருக்கவேண்டும். If you steal, take away a golden casket; if you are impaled, endure the punishment on an ornamented stake.
1549. எதிர்வீடு ஏகாலி வீடு, பக்கத்து வீடு பணி செய்பவன் வீடு, அடுத்த வீடு அம்பட்டன் வீடு. The opposite house is the washerman’s, the adjoining house is the goldsmith’s, and the next to mine is that of the barber.
1553. எத்தனைபுடம்இட்டாலும்இரும்புபசும்பொன்ஆகாது. Though iron may be heated never so much, it will not become gold.
1554. எத்தனை ஏழை ஆனாலும் எலுமிச்சங்காய் அத்தனை பொன் இல்லாமற்போமா? However poor one may be, will he not possess gold, at least of the value of a lemon?
1635. எல்லாரும் கப்பல் ஏறியாயிற்று இனி அம்மானார் பொற்பட்டம் கட்டப்போகிறார். All have embarked, my uncle is about to receive a golden mark of distinction. Spoken of aspirations beyond one’s merits.
1706. என்னுடைய வீட்டிற்குப் பூவாய் வரப் பொன்னும் துரும்பாச்சு. Since the woman came to my house, even gold has become a common thing.
1811. ஒருகாசுகொடாதவன்ஒருவராகன்கொடுப்பானா? Will he who refuses to give a cash, give a pagoda? A Pagoda is a gold coin worth about seven shillings.( in 1842)
2203. கலப்பானாலும் பூசபூசப் பொன்னிறம். Though not pure, repeated gilding will give it the colour of gold.
2340. கனக மாரி பொழிந்தது போலே. As it rained gold.
2367. காகத்தின்கண்ணுக்குப்பீர்க்கம்பூபொன்நிறம். To the eye of a crow the flower of the gourd is tinged with gold.
2375. காக்காய்க் குஞ்சு ஆனாலும் தன் குஞ்சு பொன் குஞ்சு. Though but a young crow, it is a golden one to its mother.
2574. குடத்தில் பொன் கூத்து ஆடுமா? Will gold in a pot dance?
2591. குடிக்கிறதுகாடிநீர், அதற்குத்தங்கவட்டிலா? What you drink is sour gruels, do you require a cup of fine gold for it?
2648. குத்தி வடித்தாலும் சம்பா குப்பையிலே போட்டாலும் தங்கம். Though pounded and boiled it is samba-superior rice-though cast on the rubbish heap it is gold.
2892. கைநிறைந்தபொன்இல்லாவிட்டாலும்கண்நிறைந்தகணவன்இருக்கவேண்டும். Though not possessed of a handful of gold, one should have a husband that fills the eye.
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Satyavan-Savitri story from Vana Parva of Mahabharata continued…………………
Savitri to Yama
I have heard it said that ordinarily it is your messengers who come to take away the mortals. This time, Lord, how have you come yourself?
Yama
This Satyavan was rooted in truth, and possessed rare qualities in a still rarer combination. He was not to be taken away like other mortals, by my messengers. For him, I have to come myself.
Now go back, and do the last rites. You have discharged your husband debt. You have followed your husband as far as you should have.
Savitri
Where my husband is being taken, there I should go too. That is the abiding dharma (scriptural law). By your grace, and with the strength of my love for my husband, nothing can obstruct my way.
The wise say that on walking even seven steps together, a friendship is established. From such friendship, I shall say to you a few things. Kindly, listen to me.
(Savitri explained what dharma is)
Yama
Now go back. The tings that you have said, in such perfect combination of word, tone, diction and logic have pleased me very much. Excepting the life of Satyavan, I can give you everything else.
Savitri
My father in law, deprived of his kingdom, now lives in forest. He is blind. I pray that by your grace his eye sight restored to him, and regain his strength, he may again shine like the sun.
Yama
What you have wished shall happen in that way, I give you the boon. Go back now, and do not put yourself to the rigour of further travel , you are tired.
Savitri
Being near my husband, I feel this travel no rigour. Wherever you take him, I shall come there too. And I have something more to say. Please listen to me.
Even a fleeting time with those rooted in truth is greatly desirable, their friendship even more. It is said that the company of such people never in vain. Therefore, one should always seek their nearness.
Yama
What you have said is to the good of all , most pleasing to me. Excepting the life of Satyavan, ask a second boon.
Savitri
The second boon I seek from you is that the lost kingdom of my father-in-law Dyumatsena is restored to him, and he, who I venerate as my guru, may never swerve from the path of dharma.
Yama
Dyumatsena will soon regain his kingdom and without struggle he will never swerve from the path of dharma.
The second wish of yours granted also, now go back. And do not tire yourself more.
Savitri
You keep all living beings within bounds of an eternal discipline and therefore, Deva you are universally known as Yama. Listen to what I will say.
In acts, speech and thought (Mano, Vak, Kaya), not to bear enmity towards any being; to have compassion to all; and giving; are considered the abiding dharma of the good.
Generally, the people of this world are short lived, and human helplessness is well known. Therefore, saints like you show compassion even to an enemy seeking refuge.
Yama
Blessed one! Hearing you say this is to me like water to the thirsty. Excepting the life of Satyavan, ask whatever you wish.
Savitri
My father Ashvapati has no son. May be he blessed with his own hundred sons who will continue his family line This is the third boon I seek from you.
Yama
Blessed one! Your father will have hundred sons that will keep his family line unbroken. Princess! Your third wish also has been granted. Now go back! You have already come too far.
Savitri continued to speak……………………………..
To be continued. ….
Tags – Savitri, Yama, Dialogue, Mahabharata, Good wife, Part 4
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Proverbs on Trees 6
The dead tree blossoms (from failure to success)
A tall tree easily broken by the wind
A tree that bears fruits is known by its flowers.
Be like the tree which covers with flowers the hand that shakes it.
No branch is better than the trunk.
Branches of willow trees are never broken by snow.
Willow twigs dig no snow.
–Japanese proverbs
Only the worm which comes from the marrow of the tree makes the tree fall.
The stick learns the truth.
–Kurdish
Does one sharpen the thorns? (you cannot make the vicious man worse)
The more shoots, the more leaves. (the more you do for a man, the more he will do for you).
When the tree falls, the woodpecker that lives on it must also perish.
Only once does a plantain bear (lost chances never occur)
A plant must sprout before it climbs; if it is not true people would not say it (no smoke without fire).
–Malayan
There is no tree which has not felt the force of the wind- Pashto proverb
Fell not the tree which you have planted- Persian
All men are not like trees; some must travel and cannot keep still. Romany
Wait until a tree has fallen to skip it.
A bird less tree is a barren tree.
Extract a thorn from your skin with a thorn.
–Siamese
The tree becomes moss gown and man becomes bearded- Burmese
Tamil proverbs continued…..
4971. பொங்கும்காலம்புளிபூக்கும், மங்கும்காலம்மாபூக்கும். In times of plenty the tamarind tree blossoms, in times of scarcity the mango bears in abundance.
4968. பைய மென்றால் பனையையும் மெல்லலாம். If masticated slowly even a palmyrah tree may be chewed.
4960. பேய் போய்ப் புளியமரத்தில் ஏறினதுபோல. As a demon ascended a tamarind tree.
4957. பேய்க்கூத்தும்ஆமணக்கும்ஆள்போனால்ஆள்தெரியாது. A devil dance is a garden of castor oil plants, if one gets in he is not seen again.
4918. பெரு மரத்தைச் சுற்றிய வள்ளிக்கொடிபோல. Like a creeping plant-Dioscorea sativa-round a large tree.
4914. பெருங் காற்றில் பீளைப்பஞ்சு பறக்கிறதுபோல. Flying like cotton before a gale of wind.
4915. பெருங் குலத்தில் பிறந்தாலும் புத்தி அற்றவன் கரும்புப் பூப் போல. Though born in a high family, a fool is like a sugar-cane flower.
4910. பெரியோர் முன் தாழ்ந்து பேசில், நாணலைப்போல் நிமிர்ந்து கொள்வார்கள். When speaking submissively to the great, they preserve an erect posture like a reed.
4911. பெரியோர் முன் எதிர்த்துப்பேசில், வெள்ளத்திற்குமுன்மரங்களைப்போல்வீழ்வார்கள். If they should contradict the great, they will fall like trees before a flood.
4859. பூத்துச் சொரியப் பொறுப்பார்கள் பூட்டிக் கட்டக் கலங்குவார்கள். They can endure seeing their tree shedding its blossoms, but will be disquieted at seeing others string and wear there.
4847. பூஅரசுஇருக்கப்பொன்னுக்குஅழுவானேன்? Why weep for gold while you have the tulip tree?
4848. பூசணிக்காய் அத்தனை முத்துக் காதில் ஏற்றுகிறதா மூக்கில் ஏற்றுகிறதா? If a pearl be as large as a pumpkin, where is it to be worn, in the ear or in the nose?
4849. பூசணிக்காய் எடுத்தவனைத் தோளிலே காணலாம். If one has taken a pumpkin, its mark may be seen on his shoulder.
4850. பூசணிக்காய் அழுகினதுபோல. Like a decayed pumpkin.
4852. பூசாரி பூ முடிக்கப் போனானாம், பூ ஆலங்காடு பலாக் காடாய்ப் போச்சுதாம். The priest began to wear flowers, and the flower garden became a grove of jack trees.
4837. புளியமரத்தில் ஏறினவன் பல் கூசினால் இறங்குவான். He who has climbed a tamarind tree will come down when his tooth are set on edge.
4838. புளியம் பழத்துக்குப் புளிப்புப் புகுதவிட வருகிறாயோ? Do you come to infuse acidity into the tamarind fruit?
4755. பிள்ளையாரைப் பிடித்த சனி அரசமரத்தையும் பிடித்ததுபோல. As Saturn who had seized Ganesha seized also the tree-ficus Indica.
4607. பனை ஏறியும் பாளை தொடாது இறங்கினாற்போல. Like descending from a palmyrah tree without touching the flower spathe.
4608. பனை ஏறி விழுந்தவனைக் கடா ஏறி மிதித்தது போல. Like a buffalo trampling on a person who has fallen from a palmyrah tree.
4609. பனை மரத்தின் கீழே பாலைக் குடித்தாலும் கள் என்று நினைப்பார். Though what you drink in a palmyrah grove be milk, every one will believe it to be toddy.
4610. பனைமரத்திற்கு நிழல் இல்லை பறையனுக்கு முறை இல்லை. A palmyrah tree casts no shade, a pariah has no rules.
4611. பனை மரம் ஏறுகிறவனை எதுவரையும் தாங்கலாம்? How far can you support a man who is climbing a palmyrah tree?
4612. பனையின் நிழலும் நிழலோ பகைவர் உறவும் உறவோ? Is the shadow of a palmyrah tree a shade, is the acquaintance of an enemy friendship?
4613. பனையில் இருந்து விழுந்தவனைப் பாம்பு கடித்தது போல். Like a snake biting one who has fallen from a palmyra tree.
4614. பனை வெட்டின இடத்திலே கழுதை வட்டம் போட்டது போல. Like an ass going round a place where a palmyra tree had been felled.
4594. பறைத் தெருவிலே வில்வம் முளைத்ததுபோல. As a vilva tree sprang up in a pariah street.
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Festivals:
· Onam – September 5
· Chandra grahana-lunar eclipse -7
· Pitru Paksha Shradh Begins – September 8
· Bharatiyar Memorial Day 11
· Mahalaya Amavasyai – September 21
· Navratri Begins – September 22
· Durga Ashtami – September 30
Pitru Paksha is a 16-day period dedicated to honouring ancestors.
Ekadasi fasting days- 3,17; Auspicious day -4;
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Quotes are taken from website; for more quotations please go to the website.
September 1 Monday
Beauty is spoiled by an immoral nature; noble birth by bad conduct; learning, without being perfected and wealth by not being properly utilised.
***
September 2 Tuesday
Low class men desire wealth; middle class men both wealth and respect; but the noble, honour only; hence honour is the noble man’s true wealth.
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September 3 Wednesday
Those base men who speak of the secret faults of others destroy themselves like serpents that stray onto anthills.
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September 4 Thursday
The power of a king lies in his mighty arms;that of a brahmana in his spiritual knowledge; and that of a woman in her beauty youth and sweet words.
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September 5 Friday
Swans live wherever there is water, and leave the place when water dries up; let not a man act so — and comes and goes as he pleases.
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September 6 Saturday
Accumulated wealth is saved by spending just as incoming fresh water is saved by letting out stagnant water.
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September 7 Sunday
He who has wealth has friends and relations; he alone survives and is respected as a man.
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September 8 Monday
She is a true wife who is clean (suci), expert, chaste, pleasing to the husband, and truthful.
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September 9 Tuesday
When one is consumed by the sorrows of life, three things give him relief: offspring, a wife, and the company of the Lord’s devotees.
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September 10 Wednesday
Learning is like a cow of desire. It, like her, yields in all seasons. Like a mother, it feeds you on your journey. Therefore learning is a hidden treasure.
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September 11 Thursday
As long as your body is healthy and under control and death is distant, try to save your soul; when death is imminent what can you do?
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September 12 Friday
He who runs away from a fearful calamity, a foreign invasion, a terrible famine, and the companionship of wicked men is safe.
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September 13 Saturday
Do not keep company with a fool for as we can see he is a two-legged beast.Like an unseen thorn he pierces the heart with his sharp words.
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September 14 Sunday
At the time of the pralaya (universal destruction)the oceans are to exceed their limits and seek to change, but a saintly man never changes.
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September 15 Monday
He who befriends a man whose conduct is vicious, whose vision impure, and who is notoriously crooked, is rapidly ruined.
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September 16 Tuesday
Avoid him who talks sweetly before you but tries to ruin you behind your back, for he is like a pitcher of poison with milk on top.
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September 17 Wednesday
Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.
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September 18 Thursday
Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness.
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September 19 Friday
As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.
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September 20 Saturday
The earth is supported by the power of truth; it is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth.
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September 21 Sunday
The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.
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September 22 Monday
Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and the of a compassionate heart are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform.
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September 23 Tuesday
When there are many enemies, treaty should be entered into with one.
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September 24 Wednesday
A thing may be dreaded as long as it has not overtaken you, but once it has come upon you, try to get rid of it without hesitation.
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September 25 Thursday
The learned are envied by the foolish; rich men by the poor; chaste women by adulteresses; and beautiful ladies by ugly ones.
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September 26 Friday
Learning is a friend on the journey; a wife in the house; medicine in sickness; and religious merit is the only friend after death.
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September 27 Saturday
The poor wish for wealth; animals for the faculty of speech; men wish for heaven; and godly persons for liberation.
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September 28 Sunday
By means of hearing one understands dharma, malignity vanishes, knowledge is acquired, and liberation from material bondage is gained.
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September 29 Monday
Time perfects all living beings as well as kills them; it alone is awake when all others are asleep. Time is insurmountable.
***
September 30 Tuesday
He who gives up shyness in monetary dealings, in acquiring knowledge, in eating and in business, becomes happy.
–Subham-
Tags-Sayings , Arthasastra , Chanakya, Kautilya, Quotations, September 2025, Calendar
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Following are quotes from the book of Tamil proverbs by Percival. These are about wisdom, knowledge and the wise.
Festivals: 2-Adip Perukku River Festival in Tamil Nadu; ; 8-Varalakshmi Vrat; ; 9-Rik, Yajur Upakarma, Avani Avittam ,Raksha Bandan; 10–Gayatri Japa; 15-Independence Day; 16-Janmashtami/ Lord Krishna’s Birth Day.
27-Vinayaka/ Ganesh Chaturthy, 28-Rishi Panchami
Full Moon Day -9; New Moon Day-23; Ekadasi / Monthly Hindu Fasting Days- 5,19;
Auspicious Days- 20, 28, 29
August 1 Friday
69. அஞ்சில் அறியாதவன் ஐம்பதில் அறிவானா? Will one ignorant at five understand at fifty ? Early instruction essential to future knowledge. The proverb may also suggest that growth in years will not make one, that is naturally dull, bright.
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August 2 Saturday
221. அப்பியாசம் கூசாவித்தை . Experience is knowledge that maketh not ashamed.
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August 3 Sunday
222. அப்பியாச வித்தைக்கு அழிவு இல்லை. Thoroughly acquired knowledge does not fail. Said in commendation of obvious efficiency.
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August 4 Monday
265. அரங்கின்றி வட்டாடலும், நூலறிவின்றிப் பேசலும் ஒன்று. To play draughts without a board and to speak without a knowledge of the shastras are alike.
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August 5 Tuesday
488. அறிஞர்க்கழகு அகத்துணர்ந்து அறிதல். It is the merit of the wise to gain knowledge by meditation.
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August 6 Wednesday 493. அறிய அறியக் கெடுவார் உண்டா ? Do any become vicious by increasing knowledge ?
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August 7 Thursday
505. அறிவுடன் ஞானம் அன்புடன் ஒழுக்கம். Wisdom is regulated by knowledge, good conduct by love.
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August 8 Friday
719. ஆமுடையான் கோப்பில்லாக் கூத்தும், குருவில்லா ஞானமும் போல் இருக்கிறான். The husband resembles a merry, making without food and knowledge without a competent teacher.
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August 9 Saturday 1945. கசடான கல்வியினும் கல்வியீனம் நலம். Ignorance is better than imperfect knowledge.
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August 10 Sunday
2492. காலை மோட்சமும் வாலை ஞானமும் நிலைக்காது. Dreams of bliss and premature wisdom are not lasting.
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August 11 Monday
1319: உலகத்துக்கு ஞானம் பேய், ஞானத்துக்கு உலகம் பேய். To the world wisdom is folly, to wisdom the world is folly.
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August 12 Tuesday
505. அறிவுடன் ஞானம் அன்புடன் ஒழுக்கம். Wisdom is regulated by knowledge, good conduct by love.
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August 13 Wednesday 507. அறிவு தரும் வாயும் அன்பு உரைக்கும் நாவும். A mouth that instructs and a tongue uttering words of love. Spoken of one characterized by wisdom and love.
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August 14 Thursday
4937. பெற்றோர்க்கு இல்லைச் சுற்றமும் சினமும். The wise are not moved by relationship or anger.
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August 15 Friday
5561. வருமுன் காப்பவன் சொன்ன புத்தியை வந்தபின் காப்பவன் தள்ளினதுபோல. As the after-wise, rejected the advice of the fore-sighted.
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August 16 Saturday
5739. விரிந்த உலகில் தெரிந்தவர் சிலர். There are few on the face of the wide world who are wise.
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August 17 Sunday
5896. வெளிச்சம் இருள் ஆனால் இருள் என்னவாம், மெய்ஞ்ஞானி துர்மார்க்கனானால் அஞ்ஞானி எப்படி ஆவான்?
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August 18 Monday If light become darkness, what will the darkness be; if a wise man becomes wicked, what a great fool he will be?
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August 19 Tuesday
502: அறிவு பெருத்தோன் நோய் பெருத்தோன். He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
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August 20 Wednesday
306. அரிது அரிது அஞ்செழுத்து உணர்தல். It is difficult indeed to comprehend the purport of the five letter, The famous fire lettered incantation called the மூலமந்திரம் as being the foundation of all spiritual wisdom and all religion, and the means prescribed and proper for obtaining emancipation from births and all the evils thereunto belonging, and union with the supreme.
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August 21 Thursday
1825. ஒரு தரம் விழுந்தால் தெரியாதா ? Having fallen once are you not wiser ?
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August 22 Friday
1781. ஐயம் ஏற்றும் அறிவே ஓது. Though reduced to beggary, learn to be wise.
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August 23 Saturday
810. ஆளுக்கு ஒரு குட்டுக் குட்டினாலும் அவனுக்குப் புத்தி வராது. Although each of you may cuff the fellow, he will not thereby become wiser.
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August 24 Sunday
715. ஆமுடையான் செத்தபின்பு அறுதலிக்குப் புத்தி வந்தது. The woman became wise after the death of her husband.
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August 25 Monday
508. அறிவுடையாரை அரசனும் விரும்பும். Even a king will approve of wise men.
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August 26 Tuesday 4480. பட்டு அறி கெட்டு அறி பத்து எட்டு இறுத்து அறி. Be wise by suffering, by poverty, and by paying ten and eight fines.
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August 27 Wednesday
4477. பட்டால் அறிவான் சண்டாளன், மழை பெய்தால் அறிவான் வெள்ளாளன். A rogue is wise when punished, the farmer when it rains.
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August 28 Thursday 3520. ஞானிக்கும் மூடனுக்கும் சங்காத்தம் இல்லை. A wise man and a fool do not associate.
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August 29 Friday
3519 ஞானிக்கு இல்லை இன்பமும் துன்பமும். The wise are not affected by pleasure and pain.
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August 30 Saturday
85. அடக்கமுடையார் அறிஞர், அடங்காதார் கல்லார். The well-ordered are wise; the disorderly are fools.
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August 31 Sunday
421. அவிவேகி உறவிலும், விவேகி பகையே நன்று. Better is the hatred of the wise than the friendship of fools.
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BONUS QUOTES
509. அறிவுடையாரை அடுத்தாற் போதும். To obtain the favour of the wise is enough.
4662. பாரபுத்தி உள்ள பறவை பதரால் பிடிக்கப்பட்டது. A wise bird has been caught with chaff.
—subham—
Tags- Tamil Proverbs, August 2025, calendar, wise, wisdom, knowledge, Quotations, QUOTES
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
There was speech in their dumbness, language in their gesture- Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale.
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Who climbs the grammar tree, distinctly knows,
Where now and verb and participle grows.
–Dryden
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Traffic light language
The red, green and yellow lights and blinkers in road junctions are new words invented by men to say
Stop
Go
Slow, wait.
Blinkers = caution.
****
Gesture language
To the ancient Greeks, a downward nod of the head meant YES, an upward nod NO.
The modern Neapolitans express NO by an upward jerk of the head, coupled with the sticking out of the lower lip.
Tamils nod head up and down to say YES, side to side or left and right to say NO.
Some signs are strange . we say THUUMBS DOWN, but show thumbs turned up.
Like wise saying GOOD BYE, TATA also differ from culture to culture .
Tamils say DU and SETHI with fingers making different shape to say I AM NOT YOUR FRIEND ANYMORE and LET US BE FRIENDS AGAIN.
Gesture language can be understood only when you live in that culture
(Myself had very great difficulties in explaining the Tamil gestures to white Immigration officers when I interpreted for Sri Lankan refugees in airports and ports from Dover to Birmingham in England.)
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Origin of human speech
God, that all powerful creator of nature and architect of the world, has impressed man with no character so proper to distinguish him from other animals, as by the faculty of speech.
–Quintilian
Language- human language – after all , is but little better than the croak and cackle of the fowls and other utterances of brute nature—sometimes no so adequate.
–Hawthorne
As late as the seventeenth century , a Swedish philologist seriously maintained that in the Garden of Eden, God spoke Swedish!
Adam Danish and the serpent French, while a ta Turkish linguistic congress held in 1934 it was seriously argued that Turkish is at the root of all languages, all words are derived from gunes, the Turkish word for the Sun, the fist object to strike the human fancy and demand a name.
Dravidian fanatics in Tamil Nadu (India) still brainwash illiterates saying that Tamils appeared on earth with swords in their hands even before the rocks became sand!
They talk about geological periods when Dinosaurs are roaming.
All Hindus believe that Sanskrit and Tamil came from Lord Shiva; they teach their children first to write God’s name in the plate full of grains. It is known as Akshara Abhyaasam, practised in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
(My own theory is that all the ancient languages have their roots in India. The migration of the letter J shows the Hindu influence in the languages of the world; no other ancient language except Sanskrit has this J sound. It becomes Y sound as it migrated to different cultures. Tamils changed AJA into AYAN for Brahma 2000 years ago. Later the world saw Joseph=Yusuf, Jesus= Yesu, Jew=Yuudha, Java= Yava, Jaffna= Yaazpanam; foreign idiots thought it happened because of the confusion between Roman letters J and Y; but Tamils and Sankritsts attested such a change even before the J and Y are invented).
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Animal cries remain unchanged, but the languages changed. The ancient Greek comic poets indicated a sheep’s cry by the Greek letters having the value of BEH; in modern Greek , those letters have changed their value to VEE. The sheep’s cry has not changed in 2000 years, but the Greek language has.
Foreigners did not study ancient Tamil literature 100 years ago; so they wrote absurd linguistic theories . Languages do change in course of time is a fact. But Max Muller said Sanskrit changed every 200 years and so the age of Rig Veda is 1200 BCE. When Prof Wilson, Goldstucker and others blasted and torn him to pieces he changed his theory .
No one has shown that the language had changed exactly at 200 year interval in any other parts of the world. More over Dravidian fanatics place all books with different grammatical and language patters at the same period!
(Examples- Tirukkural, Sangam Literature, Tolkappiam and Silappadikaram etc before third century CE; it is impossible to justify linguistically!)
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…………………………Philologists, who chase
A panting syllable through time and space
Start it at home, and hunt it in the dark
To Gaul, to Greece and into Noah’s Ark
–Cowper , Retirement
It has long been the dream of linguists to trace all languages to a common source. Attempts to do this have so far proved largely fruitless.
Dogs and cocks gave a severe blow to linguists. Same dog barks in the same way; but listeners in different countries hear it differently and write it with different spellings.
Withing New Guines there hundreds of languages, exceeding 700. In the vast Australian continent, there are over 200 languages . all these gave a severe blow to the old theories. Now those theories are binned and not even worthy of repeating them here.
What we have found so far is the influence of Sanskrit over the languages of Asia and Europe. Bhraataa in Sanskrit became bruder in German, bhrathair in Irish, frater in Latin, phrater in Greek, brat in Russian and brother in English. But yet with these findings they jumped to wrong conclusions.
As far as sixteenth century, an Italian writer who visited India found out similarities between Italian and Sanskrit. M T Varro had noticed the similarities between Latin and Greek but had come to erroneous conclusion that Greek was the mother language, and Latin the daughter tongue.
Noah webster, of dictionary fame, believed CHALDEE was the original universal language. It remained for Bopp and Grimm brothers, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, to create the comparative method by which the exact nature of the relationship among languages spoken in India and Europe was ascertained. William jones in India, earlier, found out the similarities between these languages.