November 16.

321.  Child! Do not throw this book about; refrain from the unholy pleasure of cutting all the pictures out! Preserve it as your chiefest treasure. (Hilaire Belloc).

          Letters and the numbers are the two eyes of man. (Thirukkurahl – 392).

எண்-என்ப ஏனை எழுத்தென்ப இவ்விரண்டும் 

கண்-என்ப வாழும் உயிர்க்கு. (குறள் - 392). 

          Yhen-yenba yaenai yezhu(th)thenba yiv-virahndum

          Kahn-yenba vaazhum vuyirkku. (Thirukkurahl – 392).

                   Our life has many stages. During childhood, mother, father, and the relatives who are nearby only will be known. In the school going stage, opportunities to associate with others arise. In adult stage, we learn a lot of things. In the old age, we are able to understand the really great ones. Hence, we say that one should listen to elders, and follow accordingly.

                   In young days, we will tend to tear and bite whatever we get; then we throw them. If some objects break, many children will be happy. It is because one object becomes many pieces, and the process creates some sound. After realizing the value and usefulness of the objects, no one would like to damage any object. Hence, the children should be taught good habits from the young age itself. Since a situation exists wherein the parents do not have proper education, many children lack the opportunity to grow with good character. The schools should realize this and mend the students properly. Movies and TV serials should act with social development principles. This service is essential until the present generation of students realizes it and reaches the stage of parents. If these principles are told for just one minute, it is not enough. There is a proverb which says, ‘a stitch in time saves nine’. The elders must think about this and act accordingly.

                   Therefore, all the children must be taught about the good characters and education, from the young age in a proper way. This good character and education must reach the village and poor children. Let us contemplate and act.  

November 17.

322.  Don’t ever take a fence down until you know the reason why it was put up. (Gilbert K. Chesterton).

          The words without profit or pleasure which a man speaks with many persons will have not union with vvirtue and will remove him from goodness. (Thirukkurahl – 194).

நயன்சாரா நன்மையின் நீக்கும், பயன்சாராப் 

பண்பில்சொல் பல்லார் அகத்து. (குறள் - 194).

          Nayan-saaraa nanmaiyin neekkum payan-saaraa(p)

          Pahnbil-sol pal-laar aga(th)thu. (Thirukkurahl – 194).

                   Before starting a work, one should know the reason for doing the work, and think of the materials needed and how to carry out the work. This is how all the work is being done.

                   Thus, the objects we see, buildings and other facilities were created with some reasons. Some alterations might be needed due to changes over the years. Certain things should not be changed. Due to the scientific advances, one can do certain things in a modern method. The first airplane could fly for about 30 meters only. By making use of that information, now the planes are made which could fly for 12-15 hours, in a speed of about 600 KM/hour at 10,000 meter height, and capable of carrying 400 persons, their baggage and sufficient food for them, and necessary fuel and other things. Even though we have achieved many developments in several areas, we still follow the old habits in certain areas. Specifically, it is not good to change the olden golden habits in areas such as food intake, association with others, and the way of life. It is not wrong to make mechanical changes; but, it is not good to make changes pertaining to human nature. One should not omit reading good philosophical books, and learning by listening to the pertinent stories. Those books aim to make people lead life in a good way. Modern facilities will enhance the external material comforts. It does not mean that olden habits are unsuitable for the present time. These books contain the good habits, which existed for thousands of years.

                   Therefore, it is not proper to change or discord the good principles of life without understanding them. Let us understand and live properly.   

November 18.

323.  It is better to be making the news than taking it; to be an actor rather than a critic. (Sir Winston Churchill).

          If you appear (in this world), appear with fame. For, those who are destitute of it will be better not to be born than to be born. (Thirukkurahl – 236).

தோன்றின் புகழொடு தோன்றுக அஃதிலார் 

தோன்றலின் தோன்றாமை நன்று. (குறள் - 236). 

          Thoandrin pugazhodu thoandruga; agdhilaar

          Thoandralin thoandraamai nandru. (Thirukkurahl – 236).

                   We enjoy so many facilities in the world. We use many electrical gadgets in our house. The people who lived earlier invented the machines, electricity, electric bulbs, computers and other things. We have to think about it.

                   Even while enjoying such facilities, we find fault in that. We should try to rectify such faults. We should do things which will be of help to others. This thinking must occur, at least, to some students in each class. A lot of development has taken place in the medical field in the last 20 years. Our growth was enormous in the past 50 years. Even though we have achieved developments in areas like food production, industry, medicine, education and sanitary conditions, we should develop further; only then, our development will be in level with our population. India’s population has grown from 439 million in 1961 to 1,210 million in 2011. Some people have the habit of accusing others at all times; it will be good if such people could find a solution. Finding fault is easy. To perform a task is difficult. Most of us use our knowledge only to find fault with others. We spend the time by discussing the past news. We should use our time in doing good deeds and accomplish it. The news on the death (5^th October 2011) of Mr. Steve Jobs, who was responsible for making ‘The Apple’ computer, made the whole world mourn for him; as per the news, even though he did not have a degree, he could make an enormous contribution to the world through the computer development.

                   Therefore, let us not waste our time by criticizing the past actions; let us do good things and enjoy the benefits.          

November 19.

324.  If we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future. (Sir Winston Churchill).

          They who thoughtfully consider and wait for the (right) time (for action), may successfully meditate (the conquest of) the world. (Thirukkurahl – 485).

காலம் கருதி இருப்பர் கலங்காது 

ஞாலம் கருது பவர். (குறள்- 485).

          Kaalam karudhi yiruppar kalangaadhu

          Gnaalam karudhu bavar. (Thirukkurahl – 485).

                   It is natural to get difference of opinion between people. If it occurs, one should discuss it with patience and reach a decision. If everyone thinks himself as great and talk of his principles alone, it may end up in a quarrel. Due to this, the time and relationship of the two will be lost. Hence, this type of action should be avoided.

                   Some people will argue that the principles of the olden days will not suit to the present time. Due to scientific developments, we have progressed very much in the last 20-30 years; it has changed a lot in many aspects. The use of computer in place of typewriter has brought a lot of changes. This does not cause disagreement between people. In the olden days, the mode of travel involved bullock and horse drawn carts, or walking. Now, the use of bikes, cars, trains and planes for travel is not objected by anyone. But, some people advocate for a change in the character and habit for the present time. The facilities for a living can undergo changes; but, the character of a person should not change. Even if a father is a thief, he would not want his son to be like that. A father would like to see his son as a good person, even though the former might have committed crimes. Therefore, one should not waste the time by arguing with elders and great persons about good habits. The argument will affect the property and even life. The disease like AIDS occurs due to the absence of good family lifestyle. The cancer is not considered prevalent in the olden days. The health gets spoiled by leading a life with new habits, and by ignoring the old ones. We are not able to protect ourselves from some diseases, in spite of medical advancements.

                   Therefore, let us lead a good life by realizing the value of the old habits, and adhering to it, instead of opposing it and losing the life.       

November 20.

325.  Short words are best and the old words when short are best of all. (Sir Winston Churchill).

          Deliver your speech, after assuring yourself that no counter speech can defeat your own. (Thirukkurahl – 645).

சொல்லுக சொல்லைப் பிறிதோர்சொல் அச்சொல்லை 

வெல்லும்சொல் இன்மை அறிந்து. (குறள் - 645).

          Solluga sol-lai(p) piridhoar-sol ach-sollai

          Vellum-sol yinmai arindhu. (Thirukkurahl – 645).

                   If a nation is to be considered as a developed one, it should have progressed in different aspects. It should have achieved progress in quality and quantity in the areas such as education, sanitation, housing, roadways, economics, and industries. This should be feasible to be possessed by everyone, according to his justifiable requirement. If one’s desire is more, it decreases the opportunity of the other. People should realize this.

                   People should nurture the good thinking that ‘let us live and let others live’. Rich persons should think of the good things which are useful to the people and the country, and do such things. Performing a ‘poor feeding’ for one day is not enough. One should create opportunities to elevate the lifestyle of the poor people. They should be taught to work and earn money in a good way. They should be motivated to discard the laziness and make them work and live with dignity. They should avoid cheating others to lead an easy way of life. These good principles are available to us in different languages, through texts, poems, proverbs, literature and other moral books. These are golden proverbs which are useful to our way of life. We should read them daily, at least for a few minutes. Parents and teachers should motivate the children to adhere to these habits.

                   Hence, one should tell the people about the golden proverbs. A country will lose its integrity, economy and growth, if its people are not of good character, even though the country might look developed. Economic growth alone does not make a country great. Economy and character should grow together. One cannot get a good life by possessing one and losing the other. Let us recognize the value of character, and develop it along with wealth, and live happily.