November 1.

306.  The greatest of evils and the worst of crimes is poverty. (George Bernard Shaw).

          The misery of poverty brings in its train many (more) miseries. (Thirukkurahl – 1045).

நல்குரவு என்னும் இடும்பையுள் பல்குரைத் 

துன்பங்கள் சென்று படும். (குறள்- 1045). 

          Nalguravu yennum yidumbaiyuhl palgurai(th)

Thunbangahl sendru padum. (Thirukkurahl – 1045).

          We see the people around us, of whom some lead a comfortable life and some live in poverty. We hear that people will refer some families as rich. Of the rich families, many of them would have come from ordinary families about 30-40 years ago. We should think about the reasons for their development to lead a good life at present.

          Education is essential to lead a good life. Only a small number of persons were able to read up to 10^th standard, about 60-70 years ago. Those who studied at that time were able to get good jobs, and hence, lead a good life. Therefore, their children got a better opportunity to pursue their study well. In the next 30-40 years, people who studied well could get good jobs. Nowadays, one should get high marks, even if they are graduates, since the competition is high. Hence, one can live in a good way only if he/she studies well. Motivation and interest must be present in studies and in the work. Laziness should not be there. Everything must be completed within the stipulated time. Books pertinent to the profession must be read. Our life must be put in proper direction by reading philosophical books. Earning money will eliminate poverty. But, one should avoid bad means to earn money. The ill-earned money will destroy our happiness.

Poverty can be overcome by material gain. But to succeed in life, one needs good thinking, and wealth earned in a good way.

November 2.

307.  Silence is the most perfect expression of scorn. (Geoge Bernard Shaw).

          To bear with those who revile us, even as the earth bears up those who dig it, is the first of virtues. (Thirukkurahl – 151).

அகழ்வாரைத் தாங்கும் நிலம்போலத் தம்மை 

இகழ்வார்ப் பொறுத்தல் தலை. (குறள்- 151).

          Agazh-vaarai(th) thaangum nilam-pola(th)-thammai

          Yigazh-vaar(p) poru(th)thal thalai. (Thirukkurahl – 151).

                   In our life, we will experience moments of likes and dislikes. Those who control and limit such feelings will shine well in life. If the likes are more, it ends up in greed. If we aspire for more wealth, we would tend to earn more money by wrong methods. Instead of that, if we work hard we would gradually progress in life. If the desire is within a limit, it can be called ambition.

                   When we are compelled by others to carry out a work which we don’t like, we would hate such people. This situation might arise during studies and working times. During studies, the parents and teachers would be strict and also tell advices, for the benefit of the students. One should realize this and study with determination for the progress. Education is the best method. Since the value of education could not be understood at the young age, one dislikes those who emphasize it. Hence, such dislikes should be controlled. During employment times, we should do the work assigned by our superiors. Even if we don’t like the work, we should do it patiently without antagonizing him.

                   Even in a family, sometimes dislikes would arise. There may be several reasons for it. Within the family, one should not try to find who is at fault. Younger people should maintain tolerance. If elders are at fault, they should realize it and promptly rectify it. If youngsters are at fault, the elders should not mention it often and hurt them. One should not split the family based on such things. A family may have both drawbacks and happiness; a feeling of split should not arise. Patience is the best.       

November 3.

308.  One man that has a mind and knows it can always beat ten men who haven’t and don’t. (George Bernard Shaw).

          To live as the world lives, this is wisdom.

(Thirukkurahl – 426).

எவ்வது உறைவது உலகம் உலகத்தோடு 

அவ்வது உறைவது அறிவு. (குறள் -426).

Yevvadhu vuraivadhu vulagam vulaga(th)thodu

Avvadhu vuraivadhu arivu. (Thirukkurahl – 426).

                   The people in the world will not be the same. Even among the members in a family, people will be different. The difference will be like strong and weak, educated and uneducated, wise and ordinary persons, and man and woman.

                   In general, the men will be stronger than the women in a family. People will say that men are born to rule. Explanations as ruling the family and ruling the mind are offered. A woman is considered as a person who patronizes the family, and praised for her love and affection. Thus, a man and a woman are both involved in maintaining a family. There should be no difference of opinion in this. A man should not think of controlling a woman by his physical strength. Even among rich and poor people, insulting or envying the other should be avoided. Wise persons will never boast of their knowledge, or be arrogant towards ordinary people; if they don’t adhere to that, they will not be considered as wise persons. In the same way, educated people will not insult others based on their education. But, the physically strong persons will always hurt the weak persons at all occasions. The animals which have less knowledge will hurt other weak ones for their food. People should use their sixth sense, and live like human being, instead of as animals. It will be considered like that if a man thinks of controlling others in a family. Anger, strength and arrogance should be kept under control. We should follow what our knowledge tells, instead of the mind.

                   The mind will like our prestige, praise and fame. The knowledge (brain) will like to do great things. Hence, let us live according to our knowledge.

November 4.

309.  No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem. (Booker Washington).

          Agriculturists are (as it were) the linch-pin of the world, for they support all other workers who cannot till the soil. (Thirukkurahl – 1032).

உழுவார் உலகத்தார்க்கு ஆணிஅஃது ஆற்றாது 

எழுவாரை எல்லாம் பொறுத்து. (குறள் - 1032).  

          Vuzhuvaar vulaga(th)taarkku aahni agdh-aartraadhu

Yezhuvaaai yellaam poru(th)thu. (Thirukkurahl – 1032).

          Everyone will normally tell that ‘our life is in our hands’. The meaning of this is: only if we study and listen, we will gain knowledge; only if we possess the appropriate knowledge and training for a job, we will get the job. After joining in a job, we will be able to move up only if we work with enthusiasm and honesty. If any mistake occurs, it will spoil our progress; but, if we intentionally cause some damage, our job and life will be in danger. Hence, our life depends on our actions.

          We should realize the contributions of others for our comfortable life. If we think about it, our mind will be properly tuned. We will be able to associate with others in a dignified way. We will not get angry with others. Instead of self-centered thoughts, we will think also of others around us. We go to the shops and buy the things we need. We should think about how and who have made those things, how much efforts they would have put in, and how many problems might have been there. We should not think that we pay for it and, hence, get it. The difficulties encountered by the farmers, and the need for Nature’s co-operation for the cultivation of our food cannot be told in words. If they don’t cultivate, the whole world would suffer without food.

          Therefore, even if we have a lot of money, have a great job, or acquired enormous knowledge, we need food everyday for our survival. Hence, let us respect the farmers and other workers, and live happily.  

November 5.

310.  There is no sin except stupidity. (Oscar Wilde).

The want of wisdom is the greatest of all wants; but that of wealth the world will not regard as such. (Thirukkurahl – 841).

அறிவின்மை இன்மையுள் இன்மை பிறிதின்மை

இன்மையா வையாது உலகு .(குறள் - 841). 

Arivinmai inmaiyuhl inmai; pirithinmai

Yinmaiyaa vaiyaadhu vulagu. (Thirukkurahl – 841).

          We should be attentive and careful in every activity we are involved. That means, we should guard against the obstacles which we can see. We should also protect ourselves from the invisible happenings which could affect our development.

          Every day, we might face some troubles. Our progress will diminish, if we involve in the activities which would waste our time. This is very important during our study time, and working hours. During study time, only if we study daily our education will be wholesome. If we don’t do that, it is similar to having a feast after several days of hunger. In spite of knowing this, it is absurd to waste golden times. Wise people will always be attentive in all their activities. Wise people will say that one should talk gently and without anger, and live without much desire. Even after knowing this, some people do not adhere to this in their life. The reason for this default is their yielding to temptations of the mind rather than the knowledge. The performance of an industry will become poor, if the maintenance workers are lazy and involve in gossip during working hours. Due to this, planes, trains and other such things malfunction, and are involved in accidents. This should be avoided. The supervisors must be vigilant. If the supervisors themselves err, there is nothing inferior.

          Therefore, people at any level of jobs should be vigilant in their observation and do intelligently. This is the way for success. Let us destroy ignorance and adamant nature. Let us progress in life.