This world lives because Some men do not eat alone, not even when they get the sweet ambrosia of the gods;
they’ve no anger in them, they fear evils other men fear but never sleep over them;
give their lives for honor, will not touch a gift of whole worlds if tainted;
there’s no faintness in their hearts and they do not strive for themselves.
Because such men are, this world is.
– Ilam Peruvaluti translated by A.K. Ramanujam
Tagged: A.K. Ramanujam, altruism, Ilam Peruvaluti, philosophy, Puram Naanuru, social commentary, Tamil, translation
This World Lives
This world lives
because
Some men
do not eat alone,
not even when they get
the sweet ambrosia of the gods;
they’ve no anger in them,
they fear evils other men fear
but never sleep over them;
give their lives for honor,
will not touch a gift of whole worlds
if tainted;
there’s no faintness in their hearts
and they do not strive
for themselves.
Because such men are,
this world is.
– Ilam Peruvaluti
translated by A.K. Ramanujam
Tagged: A.K. Ramanujam, altruism, Ilam Peruvaluti, philosophy, Puram Naanuru, social commentary, Tamil, translation