Thirukkural 879

இளைதாக முள்மரம் கொல்க களையுநர் கைகொல்லும் காழ்த்த இடத்து.

Ilai-thāka muḷ-maram kolka kalai-y-u-nar kai-kollu-m kāḻ-tta iṭatt-u.

When thorny plants are young and tender, those who tend the field crush them underfoot. In ground made hard by their labor, the weeds cannot gain purchase.