Page:The Kural or The Maxims Of Tiruvalluvar.pdf/161

476. Those that have climbed to the top of the tree will lose their lives if they attempt to climb still higher.^[1]

477. Keep thou in mind the extent of thy wealth and let thy gifts be commensurate therewith : that is the way to conserve and divide thy substance.

478. It mattereth not if the feeder channel^[2] is strait, provided that the draining channel^[3] is not wider.

479. Behold the man that taketh not account of his measure nor liveth within the bounds thereof : he may look like prospering, but he will perish leaving no trace behind.

480. Behold the man that measureth not his wealth and lavisheth it with an unsparing hand : his substance will quickly come to nought.

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1. This is a warning to those princes who seek to embark on fresh enterprises after the utmost limit of their strength has been reached.
2. Income.
3. Expenditure.