Translation of the Small Tamul Book Konneivenden, written by the Female Philosopher Avyar (aka Ayvar) as appeared in the seventh volume of the “Asiatic Researches” in 1808.
Continual praise be to the Son of him, who is crowned with the flower of Konnei (Poinciana pulcherrima.)
Mother and Father are the first known Deity.
A good man attendeth religious service.
Without one’s own house there is no where a good lodging.
The estate of the wicked will he robbed by the wicked.
Modesty is the best ornament of the fair sex.
If one maketh himself hateful to his fellow creatures, he must entirely
perish.
Exercise in writing and cyphering is most useful.
Obstinate children are like a poisonous draft.
Though thou are very poor, do what is honest.
Adhere chiefly to the only one constantly.
The virtuous will always improve in wisdom and knowledge.
A wicked mouth destroys all wealth.
Seek wealth and money, but without quarrel.
Give in writing what shall stand fast.
A woman must attend herself best.
Even with thy nearest friends speak not impolitely.
Speak friendly even to the poor.
If one will criticise, he will find some fault every where.
Speak not haughtily, though thou art a great man.
To pardon is better than to revenge.
What shall stand firm must have witnesses.
Wisdom is of greater value than ready money.
To be on gooil terms with the King is useful in due time.
A calumnious mouth is a fire in the wood.
Good advisers are hated by the world.
The best ornament of a family is unanimity.
What a senior says, must a junior not despise.
If thou cherishest passion, all thy merit is lost.
Get first the plough, and then look out for the oxen.
A moral life has a happy influence on the public.
Gaming and quarrelling bring misery.
Without practical virtue there is no merit.
Keep a proper time even for thy bed.
Be peaceful, give and be happy.
A merchant must he careful with money.
Laziness brings great distress.
To obey the father is better than prayer.
To honour the mother is better than divine service.
Seek thy convenient livelihood shoudst thou even do it upon the sea.
Irreconcileableness ends in quarrel.
A bad wife is like a fire in the lap.
A slandering wife is like a devil.
Without the mercy of the Deity nothing will prosper.
He who squanders away even what he has not gained justly must perish at last.
In January and February sleep under a good roof.
Better eat by hard labour than by humble begging.
Speak not what is low even to thy friend.
Without a clean conscience there is no good sleep.
If the public is happy, all are safe.
Improvement in wisdom improves our veracity.
Seek a house where good water is at hand.
Deliberate first well what thou art going to begin.
The reading of good books will improve welfare.
Who speaks as he thinks is an upright man.
What we propose we must pursue with zeal.
We must not speak dishonestly even to a poor man.
Dishonesty will end in infamy.
Laziness brings lamentations.
The fruit will be equal to the seed.
We cannot always drink milk, but must submit to the time.
An honest man does not touch another’s property.
The name of a true great man will ever remain in esteem.
Lies are as much as murder and robbery.
What honesty can be expected from low fellows?
Amongst relations civility is often neglected.
A mild temper is a beauty in women.
The meek are the happiest.
Keep thyself from all that is bad.
Wisdom is the direct way to Heaven.
Let thy fellow creatures partake in thy enjoyments.
Where there is no rain, there is no crop.
After lighting follows rain.
Without a good steerer a ship cannot sail.
Who sows in time will have a good crop.
The precepts of the old ought to be cheerfully observed.
Who keeps the proper time to sleep will sleep well.
The plough never will let one suffer want.
Live in matrimony and be moderate.
Who breaks his word loses his interest.
Abhor and fly from lasciviousness.
Gain by deceit will at last be lost.
If Heaven is not favourable nothing will prosper.
From impolite people honesty can’t be expected.
The words of the haughty are like arrows.
A family ought to support their poor.
A great man must also have a great mind.
A good man will never deceive.
If the Lord is angry, no man can save.
All the world shall praise God.
Sleep on a safe place.
Without religion is no virtue.
End of the Moral Sentences called Konneivenden, written by Avyar.
