1023. Laughing at ourselves

வீழ்ந்தேன் எனநகுவான் வீழ்ச்சியுள் வீழ்ச்சியில்லைவாழ்ந்தேன் எனநகுவான் கேடு

veezhnden enanakuvaan veezhschiyul veezhschiyillaivaazhnden enanakuvaan kedu

For the man who laughs at himself, saying ‘I fell,’ there is no fall within his fall; for the man who laughs in triumph, saying ‘I have prospered,’ there is ruin.

He falls, but nothing within him falls with it. The second man’s laugh is self-satisfied; in Tamil, ‘laugh’ also means ‘mock’.

1024. Laughter hides blame

புகையெழுந்து மூடியபின் தீயிடம் காணார்நகையெழுந்து மூடும் பழி

pukaiyezhundu moodiyapin theeyidam kaanaarnakaiyezhundu moodum pazhi

Once smoke has risen over it, no one can find where the fire is; laughter, rising, covers a fault.

1025. The healer’s wound

நகையிற் பிறர்நோய் தணிப்பார் தமக்கோர்நகையிற் றணிவிலா நோய்

nakaiyir pirarnoy thanippaar thamakkornakaiyir ranivilaa noy

Those who ease the pain of others with laughter have a pain of their own that laughter does not ease.