Page:The Kural or The Maxims Of Tiruvalluvar.pdf/273

 1036. Even they who have renounced all desire will have to suffer if the husbandman sitteth still with folded arms.

1037. If thou dry the soil of thy field till an ounce of mould is reduced to a quarter-ounce of dust, then not even a handful of manure will be needed, and the yield would be abundant.

1038. Manuring profiteth more than the ploughing: and when the land is weeded, guarding it profiteth more than irrigation.

1039. If the goodman visiteth not his land but sitteth at home, the land will take huff even as the goodwife.

1040. The fair one called Earth laugheth to herself when she seeth the sluggard cry, saying, Alas, I have nothing to eat. Rh