Thirukkural Chapter 66 - Purity in Action

Couplet 651 
The good external help confers is worldly gain;
By action good men every needed gift obtain
Explanation
The efficacy of support will yield (only) wealth; (but) the efficacy of action will yield all that is desired

Couplet 652 
From action evermore thyself restrain
Of glory and of good that yields no gain
Explanation
Ministers should at all times avoid acts which, in addition to fame, yield no benefit (for the future)

Couplet 653 
Who tell themselves that nobler things shall yet be won
All deeds that dim the light of glory must they shun
Explanation
Those who say, "we will become (better)" should avoid the performance of acts that would destroy (their fame)

Couplet 654 
Though troubles press, no shameful deed they do,
Whose eyes the ever-during vision view
Explanation
Those who have infallible judgement though threatened with peril will not do acts which have brought disgrace (on former ministers)

Couplet 655 
Do nought that soul repenting must deplore,
If thou hast sinned, 'tis well if thou dost sin no more
Explanation
Let a minister never do acts of which he would have to grieve saying, "what is this I have done"; (but) should he do (them), it were good that he grieved not

Couplet 656 
Though her that bore thee hung'ring thou behold, no deed
Do thou, that men of perfect soul have crime decreed
Explanation
Though a minister may see his mother starve; let him do not act which the wise would (treat with contempt)

Couplet 657 
Than store of wealth guilt-laden souls obtain,
The sorest poverty of perfect soul is richer gain
Explanation
Far more excellent is the extreme poverty of the wise than wealth obtained by heaping up of sinful

Couplet 658 
To those who hate reproof and do forbidden thing
What prospers now, in after days shall anguish bring
Explanation
The actions of those, who have not desisted from doing deeds forbidden (by the great), will, even if they succeed, cause them sorrow

Couplet 659 
What's gained through tears with tears shall go;
From loss good deeds entail harvests of blessings grow
Explanation
All that has been obtained with tears (to the victim) will depart with tears (to himself); but what has been by fair means; though with loss at first, will afterwards yield fruit

Couplet 660 
In pot of clay unburnt he water pours and would retain,
Who seeks by wrong the realm in wealth and safety to maintain
Explanation
(For a minister) to protect (his king) with wealth obtained by foul means is like preserving a vessel of wet clay by filling it with water