Tirukural/Chapter 13

Kural-121 Control of self does man conduct to bliss th' immortals share; Indulgence leads to deepest night, and leaves him there. Self-control will place (a man) among the Gods; the want of it will drive (him) into the thickest darkness (of hell).

Kural-122 Guard thou as wealth the power of self-control; Than this no greater gain to living soul! Let self-control be guarded as a treasure; there is no greater source of good for man than that.

Kural-123 If versed in wisdom's lore by virtue's law you self restrain. Your self-repression known will yield you glory's gain. Knowing that self-control is knowledge, if a man should control himself, in the prescribed course, such self-control will bring him distinction among the wise.

Kural-124 In his station, all unswerving, if man self subdue, Greater he than mountain proudly rising to the view. More lofty than a mountain will be the greatness of that man who without swerving from his domestic state, controls himself.

Kural-125 To all humility is goodly grace; but chief to them With fortune blessed, -'tis fortune's diadem. Humility is good in all; but especially in the rich it is (the excellence of) higher riches.

Kural-126 Like tortoise, who the five restrains In one, through seven world bliss obtains. Should one throughout a single birth, like a tortoise keep in his five senses, the fruit of it will prove a safe-guard to him throughout the seven-fold births.

Kural-127 Whate'er they fail to guard, o'er lips men guard should keep; If not, through fault of tongue, they bitter tears shall weep. Whatever besides you leave unguarded, guard your tongue; otherwise errors of speech and the consequent misery will ensue.

Kural-128 Though some small gain of good it seem to bring, The evil word is parent still of evil thing. If a man's speech be productive of a single evil, all the good by him will be turned into evil.

Kural-129 In flesh by fire inflamed, nature may thoroughly heal the sore; In soul by tongue inflamed, the ulcer healeth never more. The wound which has been burnt in by fire may heal, but a wound burnt in by the tongue will never heal.

Kural-130 Who learns restraint, and guards his soul from wrath, Virtue, a timely aid, attends his path. Virtue, seeking for an opportunity, will come into the path of that man who, possessed of learning and self-control, guards himself against anger.