1247. Cutting back brings fullness

குறைக்க நிறையும் குறையாது நிற்கும்நிறைக்க நிறையும் குறை

kuraikka niraiyum kuraiyaadhu nirkumniraikka niraiyum kurai

Cut back, and fullness stays, unlessened; fill up, and what fills is lack.

Nothing is named as cut back or filled. Tamil crosses two roots, nirai (fullness, to fill) and kurai (lack, to lessen), so each act ends in the other’s word.

1248. Judging makes it enough

இருப்ப தமையு மெனில்போதும் இல்லைஇருப்பதும் போதா தெனில்

iruppa thamaiyu menilpodhum illaiiruppadhum podhaa thenil

If what there is will serve, it is enough; if even what there is falls short, there is nothing.

The holding is the same in both halves; what changes is the holder’s verdict on it.

1249. Knowing our measure

தம்மளவே கொள்வர் நிறைவுடையார் வெள்ளமும்தன்னளவே கொள்ளும் குடம்

thammalave kolvar niraivudaiyaar vellamumthannalave kollum kudam

The fulfilled take their own measure and no more; even in a flood, a pot holds only its own.