Baseness
Kural - 1071
The base resemble men in outward form, I ween;
But counterpart exact to them I've never seen.
Meaning : The base resemble men perfectly (as regards form); and we have not seen such (exact) resemblance (among any other species).
Kural - 1072
Than those of grateful heart the base must luckier be,
Their minds from every anxious thought are free!
Meaning :The low enjoy more felicity than those who know what is good; for the former are not troubled with anxiety (as to the good).
Kural - 1073
The base are as the Gods; they too
Do ever what they list to do!.
Meaning : The base resemble the Gods; for the base act as they like.
Kural - 1074
When base men those behold of conduct vile,
They straight surpass them, and exulting smile.
Meaning : The base feels proud when he sees persons whose acts meaner than his own.
Kural - 1075
Fear is the base man's virtue; if that fail,
Intense desire some little may avail.
Meaning :(The principle of) behaviour in the mean is chiefly fear; if not, hope of gain, to some extent.
Kural - 1076
The base are like the beaten drum; for, when they hear
The sound the secret out in every neighbour's ear.
Meaning : The base are like a drum that is beaten, for they unburden to others the secrets they have heard.
Kural - 1077
From off their moistened hands no clinging grain they shake,
Unless to those with clenched fist their jaws who break.
Meaning : The mean will not (even) shake off (what sticks to) their hands (soon after a meal) to any but those who would break their jaws with their clenched fists.
Kural - 1078
The good to those will profit yield fair words who use;
The base, like sugar-cane, will profit those who bruise.
Meaning : The great bestow (their alms) as soon as they are informed; (but) the mean, like the sugar-cane, only when they are tortured to death.
Kural - 1079
If neighbours clothed and fed he see, the base
Is mighty man some hidden fault to trace?.
Meaning :The base will bring an evil (accusation) against others, as soon as he sees them (enjoying) good food and clothing.
Kural - 1080
For what is base man fit, if griefs assail?
Himself to offer, there and then, for sale!
Meaning : The base will hasten to sell themselves as soon as a calamity has befallen them. For what else are they fitted ?