331. Remembering without words

ஊசிகொடுத் தோனைத் துணிமறக்கும் நூலறியும்பேசாது தையலின் கண்

oosikodudh thonaidh thunimarakkum noolariyumpesaadhu thaiyalin kan

The cloth forgets the one who gave the needle; the thread, without a word, remembers him in the stitching.

The needle’s giver stands for anyone who helps; cloth and thread both gain from his gift. Remembering him needs no word of thanks.

332. Passing help on

தந்ததனைத் தந்தார்க்குத் தாரார் அடுத்தவர்க்கேவந்துசேரும் வாழ்க்கைக் கடன்

thandadhanaidh thandaarkkudh thaaraar aduthavarkkevanduserum vaazhkkaik kadan

What was received is not given back to those who gave it; it is to the one who comes next that life’s debt is paid.

In the Tamil both verbs describe how things go; neither commands. Nothing forbids repaying the giver.

333. Small gifts remembered

பெருமழை நாடு மறக்கும் சிறுமழைபெய்தவிடம் பூக்கும் நிலம்

perumazhai naadu marakkum sirumazhaipeythavidam pookkum nilam

A whole country forgets a great rain; the ground where a small rain fell blooms.