January 11.

•       Bad herdsmen ruin their flocks.

He should be employed (by a king), whose nature (leads him to) choose the good, after having considered both the evil and the good. (Thirukkurahl – 511).

நன்மையும் தீமையும் நாடி நலம்புரிந்த

தன்மையான் ஆளப் படும். (குறள் - 511).

         Nanmyum theemyum naadi nalampurindha

         Thanmyaan aahla(p) padum. (Thirukkurahl – 511).

    “The people follow their king’s path” is an old saying. We learn the language from the language teacher; we learn science through the science teacher. Like that, we learn many things from the appropriate teachers and guides. Hence, we are molded to the respective discipline, according to the teacher and leader.

Therefore, the teachers, the leaders and the coaches should be of high caliber to train the students and persons in a proper way. If we ask the people, who have reached high positions in life, will say that their teachers were responsible for their achievement. Hence, based on the head of a country, the people are shaped; based on the head of a family, the family members are shaped; based on the head of the school, the students are shaped.

We have to follow the advice of good people. Wise people will recognize the bad pathway (leadership), and restrain themselves from that. Hence, people should be wise. The starting point for that is the good education during their young student days, when they go to school. There are some schools, where, all the students get ‘A’ grade. If all the people try and practice like that, a good society would emerge in later years.

                 

January 12.

   

12. It is equally wrong to speed a guest who does not want to go, and to keep one back who is eager. (Homer, 700 B.C.)

He who, having entertained the guests that have come, looks out for others who may yet come will be a welcome guest to the inhabitants of heaven. (Thirukkurahl – 86).

செல்விருந்து ஓம்பி வருவிருந்து பார்த்திருப்பான் 

நல்விருந்து வானத் தவர்க்கு. (குறள் - 86).

         Sel-virundhu voambhi varu-virundhu paarthu-yiruppaan

         Nalvirundhu vaanath(thu) avarkku. (Thirukkurahl – 86).

There is a saying: “Even if you pour it in a river, measure it and pour”. Therefore, measurement is important in every aspect. It is dangerous to exceed the limit. ‘The last straw tilts the cart’ is also known to everyone.

Entertaining a guest is a splendid action. We have to accommodate the guests and attend them up to their satisfaction, as long as they wish. When they want to leave, we should not compel them to stay for a longer time; when some people are liked by us, they may be liked by many more people; hence, we have to understand that they may have other things to do. Too much of anything is not good, even if it is a sweet product; too much sweet (or, food), might upset the stomach, and cause ‘sugar’ complaints. However, reducing the food intake indiscriminately is also bad for health.

So, there is a limit for everything. Entertaining the guests over and above their wish is not good. Likewise, trying to cut short the stay of the guests is also not good. Hence, we should not compel other people, according to our wish.

January 13.

13. He harms himself who does harm to another, and the evil plan is most harmful to the planner. (Hesiod, 700 B.C.).      

              

Even though forgetfulness, meditate not the ruin of another. Virtue will mediate the ruin of him who thus meditates. (Thirukkurahl – 204).

மறந்தும் பிறன்கேடு சூழற்க சூழின் 

அறம்சூழும் சூழ்ந்தவன் கேடு. (குறள் - 204).

        Marandhum pirankaedu soozharkka; soozhin

        Aramsoozhum soozhndhavan kaedu. (Thirukkurahl – 204).

There may be proverbs in all languages to the meaning of ‘the person, who plots ill to others, will experience the same’. So, everyone should always think good of others. It is considered that whatever one does in the early days, will get it back ten-fold, at the later years. These words are important, and not to be cast away; they have been told by learned and wise people, and stood the test of time. The scientists say that ‘for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction’. Science says, “equal and opposite reaction”, while the proverb says, “get ten times”. As a general interpretation, we have to take the science words as ‘nothing gets lost’.

A person’s earning increases many-fold over years, than what he would have got at the time of his entry to that job. One’s living standard increases considerably over the years. As the good things increase, so do the bad things. A small thorn plant grows into a big tree, over the years, and cause trouble to people. A seed, when planted, grows and yields many-fold within its life time. If the seed is not planted, it dries up after some time and loses its power to grow.

 Therefore, everyone should avoid doing bad things to others. Each one should think good to others and do good to others.

January 14.

•         Badness you can get easily, in quantity: the road is smooth and it lies close-by. But in front of excellence, the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it, and rough at first. But when you come to the top, then it is easy, even though it is hard. (Hesiod, 700 B.C.). 

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). (Thirukkurahl – 611).

அருமை உடைத்துஎன்று அசாவாமை வேண்டும் 

பெருமை முயற்சி தரும். (குறள் - 611). 

        Arumai vudaiththendru asaavaamai vaehndum;

        Perumai muyarchchi tharum. (Thirukkurahl – 611).

If a person looks at the sea from a beach, he sees the salty water, which is spread out to an unimaginable area. However, if he digs a little deep at the shore, with all the sweat, he finds some water of potable quality. Let us consider another example, which everyone knows. If there is a scarcity of water, one digs a bore-well, with great effort and spending a lot of money, to get water. So, to get good things that are needed, we have to think and put in more suitable efforts.

From sand (silica), we get glass; from glass, we make eye-glass, with precision work. Disease attacks easily, whether it is plant, animal or people. But, to keep a good health, we have to be careful and follow certain good habits regularly. If, somehow, a wound occurs to the body, it takes a long time for it to heal.  

Hence, we have to remember that the bad things will come quickly, where as, we have to be always careful, cautious, and sometimes struggle hard, while we pursue good things.

January 15.

• Practice is the best of all instructors. (Syrus, 50 B.C.) 

To say (how an act is to be performed) is indeed easy for any one; but far difficult it is to do according to what has been said. (Thirukkurahl – 664).

சொல்லுதல் யார்க்கும் எளிய அரியவாம் 

சொல்லிய வண்ணம் செயல். (குறள் - 664).

          Solludhal yaarkkum yehliya; ariyavaam

          Solliya vahnnam seyal. (Thirukkurahl – 664).

Our education system is of different types. The training is given according to the subject. We can learn more from the practical training, than from simple reading. If we do the experiment ourselves, our knowledge is further improved. If one wants to learn about cycle, car or any other vehicle, he has to read first about the parts of it, and their functions; then he can learn about using it and fixing it as well. By the same approach, we can become experts in the area of building computers, aircrafts, ships, and spacecrafts etc. However, one should remember that one cannot become expert in everything. 

We have to get knowledge and training in the area of our interest, and according to the opportunity we have. If some one wants to get the training for a pilot, he must consider the expenses involved in that course, and the capacity to meet it. If a person cannot take up that kind of training based on the high cost, he should not just idle himself without joining into any other course. One has to study some subject and get proper training in that area.

 There are some people who learn things just from practical experience. However, it is always good to learn first and then get the practical experience. 

January 16.

16. Do not seek evil gains; evil gains are equivalent of disaster. (Hesiod, 

700 B.C.)  

(The wise) say that those, who neglect kindness and practice cruelties, neglected virtue (in their former birth), and forgot (the sorrow they must suffer). (Thirukkurahl – 246).

பொருள்நீங்கிப் பொச்சாந்தார் எந்ப அருள்நீங்கி 

அல்லவை செய்துஒழுகு வார். (குறள் - 246). 

        Poruhlneenghi(p) pochchaandhaar yenbhar aruhlneenghi

        Allavai seidh(u)ozhugu vaar. (Thirukkurahl –246).

If a person wants to progress in life, he must choose a good route and do the necessary things for achieving it. One cannot be happy from the riches obtained through bad actions. The name and fame obtained from bad deeds, will lead to disastrous ending. Many stories and epics emphasize this principle. There are proverbs, like “what you sow, what you reap”. If you plant a mango seed, you get a mango tree. If you plant a potato, you get a potato plant. You cannot get carrot from a beetroot plant; you have to sow a carrot seed to get carrots. In the same way, if you do any bad deed, you will get only bad things at the end, whatever time it takes. Hence, we should avoid getting fame and wealth through bad deeds.

We say that we drink coffee, or tea to get freshness. But, the same coffee, or tea, if taken in large excess, causes nervous problem. Some people start taking drugs thinking that it will give them calmness; but, they don’t realize that it destroys their life in a very short time. Those, who steal from others to get rich quickly, will end up in jail; their lives become miserable afterwards. 

Therefore, no one should think of making money by the bad deeds. Let us think good things, and do good things, to reap good things.

January 17.

• If you should put even a little on a little, and should do this often, soon this     too would become big. (Hesiod, 700 B.C.). 

Even though the income (of a king) be small, it will be no loss (to him), if his outgoings be not large. (Thirukkurahl – 478).

ஆகாறு அளவிட்டிது ஆயினும் கேடுஇல்லை

போகாறு அகலாக் கடை. (குறள் - 478).  

            Aagaaru ahlavittidhu aayinum kaedillai;

            Poagaaru agalaak kadai. (Thirukkurahl – 478).

In the year 1969, the United States of America sent a spacecraft to moon; Neil Armstrong, who landed on the moon as the first person, said as the first few words, “a small step for a man, giant leap for mankind”. The time has changed now; earlier, we used to tell some stories about the moon; but, in the past 3 - 4 decades, many persons have gone to the moon and spent some days to carry out research there to know more about moon, before returning to the earth. 

For every action, the beginning will be small only. It will grow step by step. In western countries, there are several buildings which are 60-70 floors. Even for a big building, the starting point is only small. One has to enter the school at the first grade level when young, to reach a high level at later years with good education. Even an orator has started learning with the alphabets, at the young age. Suppose a school has about 1000 students. If each student contributes some amount regularly every month, there will be a sizable amount of saving after one year. That amount will be very useful for buying things like teaching aids, books etc., to improve the teaching.

A systematic and steady growth will give us a good life when we grow, and help us achieve great things as well.

January 18.

18. The dawn speeds a man on his journey, and speeds him too in his work. (Hesiod, 700 B.C.).            

Though (a man) should meditate (the conquest of) the world, he may accomplish it, if he acts in the right time, at the right place. (Thirukkurahl – 484).

ஞாலம் கருதினும் கைகூடும் காலம்

கருதி இடத்தால் செயின். (குறள் - 484).

                    Gnaalam karudhinum kaikoodum kaalam

                    Karuthi yidaththaar seyin. (Thirukkurahl – 484).

We always work in the day-time and take rest in the night. There are some jobs which have to be done all the 24 hours each day. It is always better to wake up before 6.00 A.M. While studying, it is better to wake up early in the morning and start the study, as per educated persons and doctors. In the early mornings, the mind is calm and without any disturbance; hence, whatever we study, we would be able to understand it; our grasping power is high in the early morning. The activities we do in the day time occupy our mind; so, if we read at night, the concentration and grasping will not be up to the full power. So it is good to study in the mornings. Scientists say that our body gets energy during our sleep and rejuvenated. Hence, morning time is always better to do any work, when we are full of energy.

As how the morning time is important to learn any subject, the youthful time is important in our life. It is important to study while we are young. Whatever we see and experience in our young days, it will be difficult to forget that.

Hence, we should have good character, and practice good habits to lead a healthy and happy life. If everyone aspires and practices it in life, it will be good for the country and the whole world.

January 19.

• Observe due measure, for right timing is, in all things, the most important factor. (Hesiod, 700 B.C.).

Is there anything difficult (for him to do) who acts, with (the right) instruments at the right time? (Thirukkurahl – 483).

அருவினை என்ப உளவோ கருவியான் 

காலம் அறிந்து செயின். (குறள் - 483).

            Aruvinai yenbha vuhlavoa? Karuvinaiyaan

            Kaalam arindhu seyin. (Thirukkurahl – 483).

             

There is a saying ‘time is precious like gold’. Everyone knows that gold is a highly valuable metal. The reason for that is that it cannot be damaged or destroyed easily, by common techniques. One can change its appearance, but it is very hard to change its property. Therefore, the value of gold remains great at all times. But, time is always changing; no one can stop it or control it. It is very important. We have to value it. Even one hundredth of a second is valuable to an athlete. We have to value the time in our day-to-day life. We have to adhere to the timings, whether it is to go to school, or examination, or to work. In the same way, we have to do the apt things when we are young. The youthful days should not be wasted.

The satellites which are placed in the space by countries like U.S.A, Russia, and India, are launched with correct speed and angle, so as to reach the geo-stationary state and transmit the required data to the required level. The airports in big cities like New York, and Chicago handle so many flights in a few minutes; within a gap of 10-20 seconds, the aircrafts take-off. The planes fly at a specified height and speed, and follow the route without any deviation. If it is not followed, there will be chaos in the sky, and its consequences will be unimaginably bad. Hence, the time and limits are very important.

Therefore, one must remember the value of time in the life cycle; one must use the youth days properly in studies and acquiring good habits to lead a happy life; one must be unaffected by surroundings, and remain famous as valuable as gold.

January 20.

20. Gossip is mischievous, light and easy to raise, but grievous to bear and hard to get rid of. (Hesiod, 700 B.C.).

Though you speak without kindness before another’s face, speak not behind his back words which regard not the subsequent (guilt). (Thirukkurahl – 184).

கண்நின்று கண்அறச் சொல்லினும் சொல்லற்க

முன்இன்று பின்நோக்காச் சொல். (குறள் - 184).   

       Kahn-nindru kahn-ara(ch) sollinum sollarkka

       Mun-yindru pin-noakkaa(ch) soll. (Thirukkurahl – 184).

It is always not good to talk of somebody in his/her absence. It is not good to tell others something which is not necessary. It can be called as a ’useless’ talk or gossip. When our words reach various other persons by a chain-like process, the original meaning might get distorted. It may end-up in misunderstanding and quarrels also. Therefore, one should avoid useless talk and gossip. One should utilize that time in reading good books and association with good persons to learn good things and good habits. If we mark down our day-to-day work and do it, we can spend the time in a good way. When we spend the time aimlessly, the gossip starts automatically. Hence, we have to utilize our time with a goal.

If we gossip during our school days, we lose our valuable education, and slide down in knowledge. When we gossip at the job, it may end up in losing the job itself. Those who indulge in gossip will lose their own respect and even end up in shame. Gossip is worse than telling a lie. A common saying is, “what one does at a time will get it back ten-fold, after some time.” Some people may not understand this and may even disagree. What to do? We can only tell that a thorn-plant will prick us. If somebody wants to test it and put the cloths on such plants, we can only pity such people. At least, others can see that action to believe, and restrain themselves from that action.

Hence, one must avoid unnecessary talk and gossip about others, and practice good habits in life.