974. One fault draws attention

வெண்சுவர் மேற்பட்ட கீற்றொன்றே யாயினும்கண்சென்று நிற்கும் கறை

vensuvar merpatta keetrondre yaayinumkansendru nirkum karai

Even one streak on a white wall is a stain: the eye goes to it and stays there.

975. What killing stains

கைகழுவ நீர்தேடும் கொன்றவன் மானமெனும்மெய்கழுவ நீரும் இலை

kaikazhuva neerthedum kondravan maanamenummeykazhuva neerum ilai

The killer seeks water to wash his hands; for the body that is his honour, there is not even water.

Killing stains more than his hands: honour is pictured as a body of its own. The Tamil word for ‘body’ also means ‘truth’.