739. Fulfilment in hosting

உண்ணா துறங்கா துழன்றுபடுத் தான்விருந்தைஉண்டான் உறங்கினான் போல்

unnaa thurangaa thuzhandrupadudh thaanvirundaiundaan uranginaan pol

Unfed and unslept, he toiled until his guest was laid down to sleep, and was like a man who had eaten and slept.

740. Warmth that lasts

வெந்ததும் ஆறும் விருந்தோம்பல் நெஞ்சுள்ளேதந்ததும் ஆறா தழல்

vendadhum aarum virundombal nenjullethandadhum aaraa thazhal

Even what is cooked will cool; what welcome gives within the heart is a flame that does not cool.

741. A refusal that listened

கேளா மறுப்பவன் கேட்டது தன்சொல்லேகேட்டு மறுப்பவன் கேள்

kelaa maruppavan kettadhu thansollekettu maruppavan kel

A man who refuses without listening has heard nothing but his own words; the man who listens and then refuses is one of your own: listen to him.

The Tamil word kel means both ‘listen!’ and ‘kin, one of your own’; the line closes on both.