Created by Jijith Nadumuri at 11 Oct 2011 11:02 and updated at 11 Oct 2011 11:02
TIRUKKURAL of Tiruvalluvar, the Tamil poet
BOOK 2
DIVISION 4
2.4 Miscellaneous
ADHIKARAM 3
2.4.3. Greatness
971
The light of life is mental energy; disgrace is his
Who says, I ill lead a happy life devoid of this.
One s light is the abundance of one s courage; one s Darkness is the Desire to live destitute of such (a state of mind.)
972
All men that live are one in circumstances of birth;
Diversities of works give each his special worth.
All human beings agree as regards their birth but differ as regards their characteristics, because of the different qualities of their actions.
973
The men of lofty line, whose Souls are mean, are never great
The men of lowly birth, when high of soul, are not of low estate.
Though (raised) above, the base cannot become great; though (brought) low, the great cannot become base.
974
Like single Hearted Women, greatness too,
Exists while to itself is true.
Even greatness, like a Woman s chastity, belongs only to him who guards himself.
975
The man endowed with greatness true,
Rare deeds in perfect wise will do.
(Though reduced) the great will be able to perform, in the proper way, deeds difficult (for others to do).
976
As votaries of the truly great we will ourselves enroll,
Is thought that enters not the mind of men of little soul.
It is never in the nature of the base to seek the society of the great and partake of their nature.
977
Whene er distinction lights on some unworthy head,
Then deeds of haughty insolence are bred.
Even nobility of birth, Wealth and learning, if in (the possession of) the base, will (only) produce everincreasing pride.
978
Greatness humbly bends, but littleness always
Spreads out its plumes, and loads itself with praise.
The great will always humble himself; but the mean will exalt himself in self admiration.
979
Greatness is absence of conceit; meanness, we deem,
Riding on Car of vanity supreme.
Freedom from conceit is (the nature of true) greatness; (while) obstinacy therein is (that of) meanness.
980
Greatness will hide a Neighbour s shame;
Meanness his faults to all the World proclaim.
The great hide the faults of others; the base only divulge them.
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