December 1.

336.  There are two cardinal sins from which all others spring: impatience and laziness. (Franz Kafka).

          The (luster of the) family of the ignorant man, who acts under the influence of destructive laziness, will perish even before he is dead. (Thirukkurahl – 603).

மடிமடிக் கொண்டொழுகும் பேதை பிறந்த 

குடிமடியும் தன்னினும் முந்து. (குறள் - 603).

          Madi-madi(k) kohnd-ozhugum paedhai pirandha

          Kudi-madiyum thun-ninum mundhu. (Thirukkurahl – 603).

                   We should think about the requirements such as the material needs, the procedure, and the manpower before the commencement of a work. The work can be started after gathering these things. Some materials could be bought for use while the work is being carried out. These arrangements are pertinent to materials. In the same way, a person also should possess certain characters for existence.

                   ‘Patience’ is essential for those who perform the work.  Laziness should not be there. If a person is calm, he should not be considered as a lazy one. While crossing a road, one should not run; after making sure that no vehicle is approaching, one should walk fast to cross the road. While walking on the road or platform, one should not walk slowly as is done at home. If we walk slowly in public pathways, we obstruct others from a speed walk. We should not create obstacles to others. Laziness and the thought of postponement of a work would hinder our progress. A work should be completed within the stipulated time. During our travel, if a vehicle ahead of us goes slowly, we get angry. But, when we do the same thing, we never realize the fault. A plane should gain a determined speed on the runway, within the stipulated time, in order to take off. Life is also like that. The two-wheelers, which go in speeds above the limit, get involved in accidents. This speed control is the one which is required as ‘patience’ in life. A great patience is required for intricate and knowledge-based works. When an examination is written in haste, many errors would occur and the hand writing would become illegible, making it confusing. If patience decreases, anger would erupt which damages the pride of a person; the energy also would be lost.    

                   Hence, let us adhere to ‘patience’ and enhance our pride. Let us discard the laziness and become great.

                  

                  

December 2.

337.  We must build a new world, a far better world – one in which the eternal dignity of man is respected. (Harry S. Truman).

          There is nothing that stands forth in the world imperishable, except fame, exalted in solitary greatness. (Thirukkurahl – 233).

ஒன்றா உலகத்து உயர்ந்து புகழல்லால் 

பொன்றாது நிற்பதொன்று இல். (குறள் - 233).

          Ondraa vulaga(th)thu vuyarndha pugazh-al-laal

          Pondraadhu nirpathondru yill. (Thirukkurahl – 233).

                   We should know the principles of life from the things surrounding us. We sow the seeds; it grows into plants, and then flowering takes place; it yields vegetables and fruits, as the case may be. Some plants grow into trees and then they yield the respective fruits. Then we get the seeds from plants and trees. The seeds grow again and the cycle continues, to benefit the people and other things.

                   We know that we are born as babies, grow into children, adults, and elders, and finally die. During our growing age and working period, we benefit a lot and enjoy various facilities. Now, most of us enjoy the facilities which were feasible only to a few persons, about 50 years ago. We never think of those who are responsible for this development, and who first invented such things. But, we indulge in finding fault with that. Our growth has been enormous in the last 50 years, in areas such as medicine, industry, electricity, telephone, space research, and food production. Our grandparents, and even parents, lived without electricity. They lived without sufficient food and medical facilities. They had to walk for 10-20 KM, without road and transport facilities. We should think of those who made these things possible to us.

          Hence, we should think further in that line and work towards it. Some plants give only flowers. Some plants yield vegetables and/or fruits; some plants grow into trees to be useful in many ways. Thus, they are helping us in various ways, depending on their capacity. Likewise, people should work according to their capacity to develop the country. Let us cut down our fault finding attitude; let us do great work.                                

December 3.

338.  The health of nations is more important than the wealth of nations. (Will Durant).

          Freedom from epidemics, wealth, produce, happiness, and protection (to subjects): these five, the learned say, are the ornaments of a kingdom. (Thirukkurahl – 738).

பிணியின்மை செல்வம் விளைவின்பம் ஏமம் 

அணியென்ப நாட்டிற்குஇவ் ஐந்து. (குறள் - 738).  

          Pihni-yinmai selvam vihlaiv(u)-inbam yaemam

          Ahni-yenba naattirkk(u)-yiv aindhu. (Thirukkurahl – 738).

                We can divide the development of the world into two groups. One is material growth; the other growth is in the human nature. The material growth gives us the facilities for our living. The other one (maturity) promotes good thoughts in us. It would be good if we have both the developments.

                Let us now look into the material growth. In cities we have millions of two-wheelers, cars and buses. Rules have been framed to streamline the vehicle movement on the roads. Following the rules depends on the development of human nature. Those who do not adhere to the rules, and cause accidents are to be considered as immature persons. These people are responsible for the damages and losses to the country. We need food for the growth of the body. Production of more food materials is material growth. It is not proper to consume more food than is required. The country will prosper by the people, who consume food of proper energy, and utilize their strength for good purposes. But, if that strength is used to destroy others, it would mean destruction to the country. Such persons are considered immature. We need wealth to lead a good life with various comforts. One should earn it by good ways and live. This would raise a country’s dignity. Instead of that, stealing others’ properties, sparing money by improper execution of public works, getting ransom by kidnaps, and earning by selling dangerous substances which spoil the health of the people are wrongful activities. These people are immature ones.

                     Therefore, whatever may be the material development, a country would be considered good only if people of good character are there. In the epic Mahabharatham, the king Dhuryodhanan wanted materials; Arjunan wanted the association of Lord Krishna. Dhuryodhanan, who wanted only materials, perished; Arjunan got victory. Hence, people who earn by proper ways and spend in proper ways would shape a country into a good one. Let us respect the good characters which stood for thousands of years, and follow them.                                 

December 4.                                                                         

339.  Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. (George S. Patton).

          The method of performance for one who has begun an act is to ascertain the mind of him who knows the secret thereof. (Thirukkurahl – 677).

செய்வினை செய்வான் செயல்முறை அவ்வினை 

உள்ளறிவான் உள்ளம் கொளல். (குறள் - 677).

          Seivinai seivaan seyal-murai av-vinai

          Vuhllarivaan vuhllam kohlal. (Thirukkurahl – 677).

                   There are several ways to pursue education. First we learn from teachers. Then we read appropriate books, and learn from them. We see others doing a work, and by seeing it and repeating the same we learn the procedure to do certain things. Many people stop their aim with that level. A country is developed only by those whose aim is above the aforesaid methods.

                   Whatever work is carried out, one should know first the procedure to do it. One approach is to know and adhere to the rules and regulations, and act accordingly. Another approach involves trying a modified method or a new method, based on the intelligence of the person, after understanding the existing method. The first method helps us to make the products in large quantities. The second method helps us to maintain the materials to last long. The third approach leads to the changes and development. For example, an energetic light wave called LASER was invented, which is now used for doing intricate surgeries. The developments in areas like eye surgery, heart surgery, brain surgery, new medicines, electrical appliances and machineries are enormous.

                   Thus, when we do a work, there is a possibility to get a better product. Based on this, we are able to get improved machines, planes that could travel for 15-16 hours non-stop and carrying about 500-600 people, big ships and submarines. The electricity can be transported from one end to the other end of the country. Hence, the head of a team need only to tell the aim, but never need to order them. Those who do the work should know their responsibility. If the responsibility is realized, the respect would go up.              

December 5.               

340.  The only wisdom we can hope to acquire is the wisdom of humility; humility is endless. (Thomas Eliot).

          Let self-control be guarded as a treasure; there is no greater source of good for man than that. (Thirukkurahl – 122).

காக்க பொருளா அடக்கத்தை ஆக்கம் 

அதனினூங்கு இல்லை உயிர்க்கு. (குறள் - 122).

          Kaakka poruhlaa adakka(th)thai; aakkam

          Adhanin-oonghu yillai vuyirkku. (Thirukkurahl – 122).

                   It is commonly said that life is like a wheel, as an example. Since the wheel is round in shape, one cannot tell where the beginning is or the end is. If it is rotated, the point at the bottom would go up, and down and up again; similarly, the point at the top would go down, and up and down again. This is said to make one realize that people would not remain at the same place all the time.

                   One should realize that no one would remain at the lower rung at all times, and no one would remain permanently at the top. Hence, we should not insult or downgrade those who might be in lower strata, in life than us. If we always think of our own prestige, we might lose our self-control, and use undignified words in our speech. There is no use of repenting after telling such things. Many examples can be mentioned on this line. One cannot retrieve the spilled water. A broken glass cannot be brought to the original state. One cannot eat the food material once it comes out of the mouth. Hence, we should live without self-pride. Self-pride is the seed for arrogance. Once a seed becomes a plant or tree, it gives enormous amount of the same seed. Therefore, it is bad to sow such dangerous seed. For sprouting of a seed, water, soil and light are needed. These would be available through the people around us. Just like wind and water help for spreading the seed, our self-pride would go to many places; it may appear even after some time.

                   Therefore, self-pride should be avoided. For this, our speech is an important pathway. To control it, our teeth and lips help us. We should be aware of the speech which passes through these barriers, and control it. We should not forget that there are people, who are superior to us, and our knowledge would decline and vanish over the years. If we live with self-control, our name would remain for a long time. Therefore, let us avoid self-pride.