980. Conduct holds reputation together

கடையாணி நீங்கின் சகடம் சிதறும்நடையாணி நீங்கின் நிலை

kadaiyaani neengin sakadam sidharumnadaiyaani neengin nilai

When the linchpin comes out, the cart falls apart; so does one’s standing, when the pin of conduct comes out.

A linchpin is the small pin that keeps a cart’s wheel on its axle. The Tamil word for ‘conduct’ also means one’s gait.

981. Giving without humiliation

கொள்வான் நிமிர்ந்து கொளின்கொடை ஆம்குனிந்துகொள்ளின் கொடுமை யது

kolvaan nimirndu kolinkodai aamkunindukollin kodumai yadhu

What is received standing upright is a gift; what is received bowed down is cruelty.

982. Wealth that remains

விடுத்தபின் நிற்கும் வளமென்ப பாலைக்கொடுத்தபின் நிற்கும் முலை

viduthapin nirkum valamenpa paalaikkoduthapin nirkum mulai

Plenty, they say, is what remains when it has been let go; the breast remains when it has given its milk.

Giving the milk does not use up the breast that gives it.