The Worth of a Wife
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maṉai māṭci illāḷkaṇ illāyiṉ vāzhkkai / eṉai māṭsit tāyiṉum il
If the one who runs the home lacks the good character domestic life needs, then however splendid wealth may make that life look, it is worth nothing.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“If household excellence be wanting in the wife, Howe'er with splendour lived, all worthless is the life.”
“All other blessings turn to nought if the wife faileth in wifely virtues.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
மனைமாட்சி இல்லாள் கண் இல் ஆயின் = மனையறத்திற்குத் தக்க நற்குண நற்செய்கைகள், (ஒருவன்) இல்லாளிடத்து இல்லையாயின்; வாழ்க்கை எனைமாட்சித்தாயினும் இல் = அவ்வில்வாழ்க்கை, (செல்வத்தான்) எத்துணை மாட்சிமைத்தாயினும் (அஃது) உடைத்தன்று. ('இல்' என்றார், பயன்படாமையின்.)
Source: Tamil Wikisource
If the wife managing the household lacks the character and conduct required for domestic virtue, material wealth cannot give that life real worth, however splendid it appears.