Thirukkural Chapter 61 - Unsluggishness

Couplet 601 
Of household dignity the lustre beaming bright,
Flickers and dies when sluggish foulness dims its light
Explanation
By the darkness, of idleness, the indestructible lamp of family (rank) will be extinguished

Couplet 602 
Let indolence, the death of effort, die,
If you'd uphold your household's dignity
Explanation
Let those, who desire that their family may be illustrious, put away all idleness from their conduct

Couplet 603 
Who fosters indolence within his breast, the silly elf!
The house from which he springs shall perish ere himself
Explanation
The (lustre of the) family of the ignorant man, who acts under the influence of destructive laziness will perish, even before he is dead

Couplet 604 
His family decays, and faults unheeded thrive,
Who, sunk in sloth, for noble objects doth not strive
Explanation
Family (greatness) will be destroyed, and faults will increase, in those men who give way to laziness, and put forth no dignified exertions

Couplet 605 
Delay, oblivion, sloth, and sleep: these four
Are pleasure-boat to bear the doomed to ruin's shore
Explanation
Procrastination, forgetfulness, idleness, and sleep, these four things, form the vessel which is desired by those destined to destruction

Couplet 606 
Though lords of earth unearned possessions gain,
The slothful ones no yield of good obtain
Explanation
It is a rare thing for the idle, even when possessed of the riches of kings who ruled over the whole earth, to derive any great benefit from it

Couplet 607 
Who hug their sloth, nor noble works attempt,
Shall bear reproofs and words of just contempt
Explanation
Those who through idleness, and do not engage themselves in dignified exertion, will subject

Couplet 608 
If sloth a dwelling find mid noble family,
Bondsmen to them that hate them shall they be
Explanation
If idleness take up its abode in a king of high birth, it will make him a slave of his enemies

Couplet 609 
Who changes slothful habits saves
Himself from all that household rule depraves
Explanation
When a man puts away idleness, the reproach which has come upon himself and his family will disappear

Couplet 610 
The king whose life from sluggishness is rid,
Shall rule o'er all by foot of mighty god bestrid
Explanation
The king who never gives way to idleness will obtain entire possession of (the whole earth) passed over by him who measured (the worlds) with His foot