The Warriors [from 'proverbs 400' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

311. A soldier or his foe may win in the war
but a fighter wants to prove his warfare
by the win. One who fumes within the fort,
pours water to grow the crop of hate.

312. Two bulls with innate hate don't drink water
at the same source. Two hostile kings don't seek
a boost from the same hero who gives his life
to guard the king and won't betray, joining th' foe.

313. Those who are brave in war-fields keep silence.
Those who don't draw swords in wars groan before
the kings for gifts. A strong bull got into
the marsh doesn't raise but the cart moves with ease.

314. The begging pot of the Jain monks in forests
shows its worth only in the town. When the king
with wreathed chest looks at one to rush to war
all there should take the sign as orders to them.

315. Those who beat and slay the foe standing with pride
shouldn't be eaten up with praise. They mustn't make it
open their fortitude. It will be seen
as you make much of your faults together.

316. O, Chief of the coasts with Punnai flowers!
They seem the lizard's eggs and spread their petals.
To quell the vexed speech by words is to shout down
the roars of the sea by the howls of the fox.

317. O, wench with bow like brow! Though they're strong to fight
the foe in truce without recompense, it is
suicidal to wage a war on a brave foe.
It is to hit a rock with bare hand in spleen.

318. No one waits to swim in a sea rid of waves.
A famous king enters his court, swears to beat
the foe and steps in to fight. A king mustn't cite
the foe's hill-like tuskers for the delay.

319. The king doesn't comment on the hero who guards
himself, beats the foes in war, and chases
and assaults them who turn their back. This likens
the barber's knife is sharper to cut the leaves.

320. Those who fear the foe while being within
The fort will yield themselves to the foe. Hearing
the cawing crow, the owl thinks of the dark
as daylight and gets scared.

321. A drama-actress who shakes not her legs
shows her fair body and gets the gifts of clothes.
One who defies not the foes in battles, feigns
as brave and boasts himself to eat the king's food.

322. A man warring ‘gainst the foes shouldn't brag about
the glory of his forefathers.If he boasts
and eats the food of a king, it is the bad
life of a woman gets hidden by her son.

323. Thinking that one's virtue makes one to win
gains much fear in mind. If one lacks wisdom
to understand the causes of all the troubles,
he will have no courage to win in life.

324. What can a king do with weak friends
if he has no stronger friend? The cat is
as mighty as though the tiger yet it doesn't
prey on other rodents in a rat-free house.

325. Charity, just rule, sense to feel the pulse
of the troops and the subjects, doing the saying;
chasing and killing the foe who turns back.
These qualities make one fit to lead a force.

326. When the king sent a messenger to seek
a bride with painted carp's eyes, her brothers
refused, beat the drums and raised arms ‘gainst the king.
E'er sweet the banana, ne'er tastes salty.