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Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 16

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adakkam udaiyaar aRivilarendru eNNi kadakka karudhavum Venda-madaiththalaiyil oodumeen ooda uRumeen varumaLavum vaadi irukkumaam kokku Don't judge a book by its cover. A crane stands still like a statue till a plump fish comes on its way. It does not mean that the crane is inept at catching its own prey.

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 15

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Vengai varippuliNoi theertha vidakaari aanguadhanukku aagaaram aanaaRPol-paangariya pullaRi vaaLarukku seidha ubagaaram kallinMel itta kalam Like a herbalist who got killed by the same tiger he saved from a snake bite, the help which was done to valueless people will go waste like pot dropped over a rock.

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 14

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  gaana mayilaada kaNdirundha vaanKozhi thaanum adhuvaaga baavithu-thaanumthan pollaa siragai virithaadinaaR PoluMe kallaadhaan katRa kavi An illiterate will receive the same applause, when people see a turkey tries to dance like a peacock. Fake intellectual will be mocked brutally.

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 13

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kavaiyaagi kombaagi kaattagaththE niRkum avaiyalla nalla marangaL-sabainaduVe neettOlai vaasiyaa nindRan kuRippaRiya maattaa dhavannal maram. Sky scraping trees are not the only trees around. A person who could not read a verse in front of an intellectual court too is equivalent to a  tree. Uneducated person will not be considered as a human being.

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 12

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  madalperidhu thaazhai magizhinidhu gandham udalsiriyar enRirukka VeNda-kadalperidhu maNNeerum aagaadhu adhanaruGe sitRuRal uNNeerum aagi vidum. Petals of the screw-pine flower is bigger than it. Ocean is vast, but it's water is undrinkable. But, though the size of a screw-pine flower and a seashore spring is small, their fragrance and taste are enjoyable. Don't judge a thing by its size.