Thirukkural Chapter 93 - Not Drinking Palm-Wine

Couplet 921 
Who love the palm's intoxicating juice, each day,
No rev'rence they command, their glory fades away
Explanation
Those who always thirst after drink will neither inspire fear (in others) nor retain the light (of their fame)

Couplet 922 
Drink not inebriating draught Let him count well the cost
Who drinks, by drinking, all good men's esteem is lost
Explanation
Let no liquor be drunk; if it is desired, let it be drunk by those who care not for esteem of the great

Couplet 923 
The drunkard's joy is sorrow to his mother's eyes;
What must it be in presence of the truly wise
Explanation
Intoxication is painful even in the presence of (one's) mother; what will it not then be in that of the wise ?

Couplet 924 
Shame, goodly maid, will turn her back for aye on them
Who sin the drunkard's grievous sin, that all condemn
Explanation
The fair maid of modesty will turn her back on those who are guilty of the great and abominable crime of drunkenness

Couplet 925 
With gift of goods who self-oblivion buys,
Is ignorant of all that man should prize
Explanation
To give money and purchase unconsciousness is the result of one's ignorance of (one's own actions)

Couplet 926 
Sleepers are as the dead, no otherwise they seem;
Who drink intoxicating draughts, they poison quaff, we deem
Explanation
They that sleep resemble the deed; (likewise) they that drink are no other than poison-eaters

Couplet 927 
Who turn aside to drink, and droop their heavy eye,
Shall be their townsmen's jest, when they the fault espy
Explanation
Those who always intoxicate themselves by a private (indulgence in) drink; will have their secrets detected and laughed at by their fellow-townsmen

Couplet 928 
No more in secret drink, and then deny thy hidden fraud;
What in thy mind lies hid shall soon be known abroad
Explanation
Let (the drunkard) give up saying "I have never drunk"; (for) the moment (he drinks) he will simply betray his former attempt to conceal

Couplet 929 
Like him who, lamp in hand, would seek one sunk beneath the wave
Is he who strives to sober drunken man with reasonings grave
Explanation
Reasoning with a drunkard is like going under water with a torch in search of a drowned man

Couplet 930 
When one, in sober interval, a drunken man espies,
Does he not think, 'Such is my folly in my revelries'
Explanation
When (a drunkard) who is sober sees one who is not, it looks as if he remembered not the evil effects of his (own) drink