February 1.
32. Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbours. (Confucius, 500 B.C.).
The world applauds the character of those whose usefulness results from their equity and charity. (Thirukkurahl – 994).
நயனொடு நன்றி புரிந்த பயனுடையார்
பண்புபா ராட்டும் உலகு. (குறள் - 994).
Nayanodu nandri purinddha payanudauyaar
Pahnbu-paa raattum vulagu. (Thirukkurahl – 994).
Every one of us will definitely think that they should become great and live a life with fame and all comforts. To reach that state, we should work for it from the beginning itself. If that work is in the good path, we will get fame. If we choose bad pathway, we will not get fame; but, we may get comforts. The comforts we get from bad practices, will not give us happiness; within a short time, it will put us in trouble; even if we have become famous, it will be short-lived, and people will start abusing us. Therefore, it is important that we follow good practices.
While we are young, it is possible that many would have criticized some good habits and good principles. We have to ignore that while growing, and follow good habits; if we do like that, others will start appreciating us. Many other people will follow us.
Hence, our aim should be to think good and practice good habits all the time.
February 2.
• The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration. (Confucius, 500 B.C.).
It is said that those who are conscious of their duty and behave with perfect goodness will regard as natural all that is good. (Thirukkurahl – 981).
கடன்என்ப நல்லவை எல்லாம் கடன்அறிந்து
சான்றாண்மை மேற்கொள் பவர்க்கு. (குறள் - 981).
Kadan-yenba nallavai yellaam kadan-arindhu
Saandraahnmai maerkohl ba-varkku. (Thirukkurahl – 981).
Everyone would have come across some impediments at the work, or during student days. We have to overcome the hurdles, complete the work that we have taken up, and achieve the goal. We should not think it as impossible and get dejected. The wise and great people will remove the hurdles as their first job. If the hurdles are removed, success is bound to come. While studying in school, if an error occurs in a sum and is corrected, the correct answer for the problem will come. Similarly, if a machine or car doesn’t function properly, we do the repair and make it work well. Sometimes, the launching of a spacecraft is delayed due to some problems; the scientists set it right and then launching is done.
Therefore, one should be careful as to get every thing without any mistake. If an error occurs, it should be corrected. Great people will do their duty first, and consider the result (success) as a secondary process.
February 3.
34. The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress. (Confucius, 500 B.C.).
Stooping (to inferiors) is the strength of those who can accomplish (an undertaking); and that is the weapon with which the great avert their foes. (Thirukkurahl – 985).
ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றல் பணிதல் அதுசான்றோர்
மாற்றாரை மாற்றும் படை. (குறள் - 985).
Arrtruvaar aartral pahnidhal; adhu-saandroar
Maartraarai maartrum padai. (Thirukkurahl – 985).
Life is for living happily. Living by hurting others, or by relishing others’ miseries is not a life. Great persons will not feel bad about their discomforts, what ever may be the quantum. They will be satisfied with the comforts available to them. The immature people will always want to have more, even when they have sufficient amount; therefore they lose the peace of mind and live a dejected life. Contentment with what we have is always good, like gold. Therefore, everyone must have the attitude of being happy with what they have.
If one has the attitude of contentment, it does not mean that he should not aspire for a better life. To progress in life is an aim. To attain our aim, we have to study well in the young age; we have to work in the proper way. We have to be happy and content with what we earn. Leading a happy life need not prevent a person to aim and reach a higher goal. If a person gets the second place in some game, he should take it happily; it doesn’t mean that he should not practice further to accomplish the first place in the next event.
Therefore, contentment and aim are like our two legs, which will help us to tread our path and progress in life.
February 4.
• To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short. (Confucius, 500 B.C.).
Since (both) wealth and evil result from (their) speech, ministers should most carefully guard themselves against faultiness therein. (Thirukkurahl – 642).
ஆக்கமும் கேடும் அதனால் வருதலால்
காத்துஓம்பல் சொல்லின்கண் சோர்வு. (குறள் - 642).
Aakkamum kaedum adhanaal varuvadhaal
Kaaththoambal sollinkahn soarvu. (Thirukkurahl – 642).
There is a saying to mean: “Get sufficient amount and live happily”. There must be a limit or boundary for anything. Everyone knows that insufficient amount in anything is not good. If a student gets low marks, he will lose the time (even a year) during his studies. When we jump over a small deep stretch (depth) insufficiently, we will fall into that. If the air-pressure is less in the cycle tire, we will not be able to pedal well and go fast. If the voltage (the power of electricity) is low, lamps do not glow well, and machines do not function well. If the electric power is too high, the lamps and machines burn out, due to high voltage. If the air-pressure is too high in the cycle tire, it bursts. If our body temperature increases to 104/105 0F, (during high fever), it is dangerous to our life; if it goes below 950F, it is also dangerous. We can visualize many examples like this. If the in-take of food is decreased or increased, our body gets affected. The increase or decrease in the amount of sugar, fat, salt and other vital materials in our body affect our health.
Therefore, there should be a limit in the food we eat, in the words we speak, in the actions we do, in the thoughts we think, and in all of our other activities.
February 5.
• The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue. (Confucius, 500 B.C.).
Affection, fear (of sin), benevolence, favor, and truthfulness; these are the five pillars on which perfect goodness rests. (Thirukkurahl – 983).
அன்புநாண் ஒப்புரவு கண்ணோட்டம் வாய்மையொடு
ஐந்துசால்பு ஊன்றிய தூண். (குறள் - 983).
Anbu-naahn oppuravu kahnnoattam vaaimaiyodu
Iyndhu-saalbu oondriya thoohn. (Thirukkurahl – 983).
We consider those persons, who do a job in an excellent manner, and set themselves as examples to others, as wise and great people. There are a few qualities that a wise and great person must have. The person should be of steady mind. Once he starts some work, he should complete the work; he should not stop the work in the middle. Determination must be there, similar to the requirement of answering to all the questions in a proper way during the student days. They should have the mental stability to bear any trouble that may come. They should be simple, and not boast themselves. Thus, we can view those persons as wise, who are steady, calm, simple and unassuming in nature.
Hence, young people should grow with good characters, to progress in life. One can acquire these good characters by hearing speeches from, and reading the books of great people, and through teachers. A child does not walk as soon as it is born; a student does not get a degree as soon as he joins the school. It takes some time for achieving something. In the same way, it takes several years for a person to become great. It is difficult to make something; but it is easy to break or spoil it.
We all must think of becoming wise and great.
February 6.
• He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good. (Confucius, 500 B.C.).
He who, to the disgust of many, speaks useless things will be despised by all. (Thirukkurahl – 191).
பல்லார் முனியப் பயனில சொல்லுவான்
எல்லாரும் எள்ளப் படும். (குறள் - 191).
Pallaar munia(p) payanila solluvaan
Yellaarum yehllap padum. (Thirukkurahl – 191).
Whatever a person speaks should be always useful. It is a waste of time for the speaker of a loose talk and the listener; sometimes, it may even lead to troubles. If silly and mean words are used, instead of respectable words, it will hurt others. The speaker has to respect the listeners’ nature and self-respect. When talking to someone, no one should use mean words, thinking others as inferior people. There is a saying: “Time will change, but the words will stay”.
Dishonorable words will make others feel sad and anger. The anger makes a person lose his/her self-control. If self-control is lost, he will be tempted to hurt others; the intensity will depend on the strength of the angry person. Sometimes, even a single bad word will be like a spark to result in a major riot. Those who speak good words will be like a spark which enlightens the people.
Therefore, while talking, only good words must be used at all times.
February 7.
• The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in action. (Confucius, 500 B.C.).
(Though reduced) the great will be able to perform, in the proper way, deeds difficult (for others to do). (Thirukkurahl – 975).
பெருமை உடையவர் ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றின்
அருமை உடைய செயல். (குறள் - 975).
Perumai vudaiyavar aartruvaar aartrin
Arumau vudaiya seyal. (Thirukkurahl – 975).
One should learn the procedure to do any work. If a work is carried out without knowing the method, it will lead to confusion and a lot of useless expenditure. Some work may need education alone, while some will require practical knowledge. Some people will go on talking about something, without actually doing it. If a student wants to become first in his school, he/she must study well; instead, merely saying it will not fulfill the wish.
Some people will have an aim in their mind and work well accordingly. That is the correct method. Those who are on top in sports like tennis, soccer, chess, swimming etc. practice everyday for 4-5 hours. In the same way, if one wants to become a first-ranker in the school, he/she should study for 4-5 hours everyday. There is a saying: “Great people will do without telling it”.
Therefore, like great people, we must be anxious to do a work, and put in hard work, but reduce unnecessary talk.
February 8.
• Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness. (Confucius, 500 B.C.).
The (proper) punishment of those who have done evil (to you), is to put them to shame by showing great kindness to them. (Thirukkurahl – 314).
இன்னா செய்தாரை ஒறுத்தல் அவர்நாண
நன்நயம் செய்து விடல். (குறள் - 314).
Innaa seidhaarai oruththal avarnaahna
Nan-nayam seidhu vidal. (Thirukkurahl – 314).
Every one of us wants to have a happy life. Hard work, enthusiasm and good education will help us reach that goal. Instead of this, some people will take a wrong path as a short-cut. Sometimes, this wrong path will disturb those who take the right route. Those who take the wrong path must be corrected and taught the good things. Moving with others in a kind manner only will bring happiness. If a person does kind and beneficial deeds to others, he/she will be respected in a kind manner by others. On the other hand, one should not think of revenge, if a person commits some harm; the wrong-doers must be properly guided with good advices. The attitude of ‘tit for tat’ should not arise.
Therefore, our life should be in such a way as to correct the wrong-doers with good advices, and help them lead a good life, in addition to respecting the kind hearted ones with kindness.
February 9.
• What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others. (Confucius, 500 B.C.).
A man’s deeds are the touch-stone of his greatness and littleness. (Thirukkurahl – 505).
பெருமைக்கும் ஏனைச் சிறுமைக்கும் தத்தம்
கருமமே கட்டளைக் கல். (குறள் - 505).
Perumaikkum yaenai sirumaikkum thaththam
Karumamae kattahlai(k) kal. (Thirukkurahl – 505).
If a person has to estimate the quality/nature of something, he must fully know the properties of that. Only an artist will be able to judge an art work in the proper way. Common people may be able to only enjoy the art to some extent. We consider those who follow good habits, as great people. The great people will always see (consider) the virtues present in others. There is a saying: “For jaundice eye, everything is yellow”. If a person has jaundice, his eyes will become yellow; hence, whatever he sees, everything will appear yellow.
If we see some object through a mirror, it will appear in different color, size and shape depending upon the mirror. Great people, by virtue of their good habits and characters, will recognize the virtues present in others. However, mean people will try to find fault in others and keep telling it often.
Hence, if we find something wrong in others, we should try to correct them, instead of propagating it and making them feel bad.
February 10.
• What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others. (Confucius, 500 B.C.).
Let not a man consent to do those things to another which, he knows, will give sorrow. (Thirukkurahl – 316).
இன்னா எனத்தான் உணர்ந்தவை துன்னாமை
வேண்டும் பிறன்கண் செயல். (குறள் - 316).
Innaa yenaththaan vuhnanrthavai thunnaamai
Vaehndum pirankahn seyal. (Thirukkurahl – 316).
All of our aims and thoughts will be that we should live happily. A person thinks that he can live happily from the wealth he acquires, even if he has to hurt (cheat) others, by some way or other. This kind of happiness will wane soon. The same person will think that others should not do that to him. This thought should have occurred earlier; in such a case, he would have avoided committing such mistakes.
There are so many proverbs having the above meaning. With the thought of experiencing only good things (by us), we should always do good things to others. We often hear that ‘a thing becomes manifold’. Hence, a good action will grow into many good things; similarly, a bad action will result in the perpetuation of many bad things.
We have to remember this to live a happy life.
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