1132. Neglect wears away

கரைமெல் லமென்றுண்ணும் ஆற்றுநீர் போலப்புரையூன்றும் பேணா உறவு

karaimel lamendrunnum aatruneer polappuraiyoondrum penaa uravu

As river water slowly gnaws away its bank, so decay takes root in a bond no one cherishes.

1133. Love is repeated giving

நெய்யூற்றி யூற்றி நிறங்கொண்ட கையகப்பைமெய்யன்பு காணும் வடிவு

neyyootri yootri nirangonda kaiyakappaimeyyanpu kaanum vadivu

A ladle coloured by ghee poured and poured again: this is how true love looks.

Ghee is clarified butter, ladled generously over food. The ladle darkens from long serving.

1134. Duty becomes affection

கடலுப்பு நீரில் கரைந்ததே போலக்கடமை கரையும் உறவு

kadaluppu neeril karaindadhe polakkadamai karaiyum uravu

As sea salt dissolves into water, so duty dissolves into a relationship.

Salt dissolved in water is still there, all through it.