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.

1250. Already in hand

நெருப்பை எடுத்துச்சென் றாள்வெளிச்சம் தேடிஇருப்பறியாள் கையிற் கனல்

neruppai eduthuschen raalvelischam thediiruppariyaal kaiyir kanal

She took fire and went out looking for light; she does not know of the ember in her hand.