Chapter 62 – Manly Effort / Aalvinaiyutaimai
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 611
Say not, ‘Tis hard’, in weak, desponding hour,
For strenuous effort gives prevailing power.
Explanation
Yield not to the feebleness which says, “this is too difficult to be done”; labour will give the greatness (of mind) which is necessary (to do it).
Transliteration
Arumai Utaiththendru Asaavaamai Ventum
Perumai Muyarsi Tharum.
Couplet 612
In action be thou, ‘ware of act’s defeat;
The world leaves those who work leave incomplete.
Explanation
Take care not to give up exertion in the midst of a work; the world will abandon those who abandon their unfinished work.
Transliteration
Vinaikkan Vinaiketal Ompal Vinaikkurai
Theerndhaarin Theerndhandru Ulaku.
Couplet 613
In strenuous effort doth reside
The power of helping others: noble pride.
Explanation
The lustre of munificence will dwell only with the dignity of laboriousness or efforts.
Transliteration
Thaalaanmai Ennum Thakaimaikkan Thangitre
Velaanmai Ennunj Cherukku.
Couplet 614
Beneficent intent in men by whom no strenuous work is wrought,
Like battle-axe in sexless being’s hand availeth nought.
Explanation
The liberality of him, who does not labour, will fail, like the manliness of a hermaphrodite, who has a sword in its hand.
Transliteration
Thaalaanmai Illaadhaan Velaanmai Petikai
Vaalaanmai Polak Ketum.
Couplet 615
Whose heart delighteth not in pleasure, but in action finds delight,
He wipes away his kinsmen’s grief and stands the pillar of their might.
Explanation
He who desires not pleasure, but desires labour, will be a pillar to sustain his relations, wiping away their sorrows.
Transliteration
Inpam Vizhaiyaan Vinaivizhaivaan Thankelir
Thunpam Thutaiththoondrum Thoon.
Couplet 616
Effort brings fortune’s sure increase,
Its absence brings to nothingness.
Explanation
Labour will produce wealth; idleness will bring poverty.
Transliteration
Muyarsi Thiruvinai Aakkum Muyatrinmai
Inmai Pukuththi Vitum.
Couplet 617
In sluggishness is seen misfortune’s lurid form, the wise declare;
Where man unslothful toils, she of the lotus flower is there.
Explanation
They say that the black Mudevi (the goddess of adversity) dwells with laziness, and the Latchmi (the goddess of prosperity) dwells with the labour of the industrious.
Transliteration
Matiyulaal Maamukati Enpa Matiyilaan
Thaalulaan Thaamaraiyi Naal.
Couplet 618
‘Tis no reproach unpropitious fate should ban;
But not to do man’s work is foul disgrace to man.
Explanation
Adverse fate is no disgrace to any one; to be without exertion and without knowing what should be known, is disgrace.
Transliteration
Poriyinmai Yaarkkum Pazhiyandru Arivarindhu
Aalvinai Inmai Pazhi.
Couplet 619
Though fate-divine should make your labour vain;
Effort its labour’s sure reward will gain.
Explanation
Although it be said that, through fate, it cannot be attained, yet labour, with bodily exertion, will yield its reward.
Transliteration
Theyvaththaan Aakaa Theninum Muyarsidhan
Meyvaruththak Kooli Tharum.
Couplet 620
Who strive with undismayed, unfaltering mind,
At length shall leave opposing fate behind.
Explanation
They who labour on, without fear and without fainting will see even fate (put) behind their back.
Transliteration
Oozhaiyum Uppakkam Kaanpar Ulaivindrith
Thaazhaadhu Ugnatru Pavar.
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