March 1.

• Force has no place where there is need of skill. (Herodotus, 450 B.C.).

Will not the tears, shed by a people who cannot endure the oppression which they suffer (from their king) become a file to waste away his wealth? (Thirukkurahl – 555). 

அல்லல்பட்டு ஆற்றாது அழுதகண் ணீர்அன்றே

செல்வத்தைத் தேய்க்கும் படை. (குறள் - 555). 

Allal-pattu aartraadhu azhudha-kahn neerandrae

Selvaththai(th) thaeikkum padai. (Thirukkurahl – 555).

We come across different kinds of jobs in our life. Some kind of work appears to be directly useful to us. We think of some other work as useless. However, if we look into them deeply, we will realize that everything is necessary for the human life. Therefore, nobody should think of any work as inferior. Each one must work according to the education and capability. Payment is given according to the work.

If a person did not carry out a simple work properly, he/she can be compelled to complete that. But, one has to do a precision work with great care, thinking and patience. If they are compelled, they will not be able to focus their thinking to do the work efficiently. Fear and anger will curtail precision thinking; hence, such people must be given encouragement, instead of punishment. If a work involves mental capability and knowledge, it must be encouraged with great patience.

The students, who go to the school to learn, must be encouraged with due patience. An authoritative pressure will be helpful only for physical work. It is always better to do a work with enthusiasm and pleasure.

March 2.

• It is better to be envied than pitied. (Herodotus, 450 B.C.).

Why do those who live without praise grieve those who despise them, though they do not grieve themselves? (Thirukkurahl – 237). 

புகழ்பட வாழாதார் தம்நோவார் தம்மை 

இகழ்வாரை நோவது எவன். (குறள் - 237).

   Pugazhpada vaazhaadhaar tham-noavaar thammai

   Yigazhvaarai noavadhu yevan? (Thirukkurahl – 237).

Each one of us should have the thought of leading a good life. This is an aim. Next, one must think of the ways to achieve that goal. If he cannot think of a good method, he should approach a learned good person, and follow the pathway suggested by them. One can consider somebody as the role-model. The aim to become like somebody in life will not be considered as jealous. The word jealous will apply only if we think of the materials possessed by others. It is wrong to think like that. We have to aim and become like others in their stature. If we lead a struggled life without any aim, without any progress, and without peace of mind, others will pity us if they are good. Other ordinary persons will ridicule us.

Therefore, we have to live with good aim. If we do that, others will respect us, instead of pitying on us.

March 3.

• Haste in every business brings failures. (Herodotus, 450 B.C.).

Wise men will not, for the sake of profit, undertake works that will consume their principal. (Thirukkurahl – 463).  

ஆக்கம் கருதி முதல்இழக்கும் செய்வினை 

ஊக்கார் அறிவுடை யார். (குறள் - 463). 

Aakkam karudhi mudhal-yizhakkum seivinai

Ookkaar arivudai yaar. (Thirukkurahl – 463).

If we have to complete a work, we must first know about the job and then go through all the details of performing the same. If we start a work without knowing the procedure, it will end up in a lot of troubles. The target cannot be reached. Materials and time will be of waste. Even if the procedure is known, one must involve in the work to the required extent, with patience. It should not be rushed.

The vehicles should ply on the road within the speed limit. We all know that accidents occur due to over speed. When on the highways, the speed must be less at curves, than on a straight road; otherwise, accident occurs. In the same way, one should attend all the classes in the school regularly, to be successful, and to gain knowledge. Our breathing habit should be slow and steady. Fast and rapid breathing is dangerous to our health and even to our life. If our blood pressure is very high, it is dangerous to our life.

Therefore, whatever is done, it should be performed appropriately, at the right speed. Haste ends in waste.

March 4.

       

• Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks. (Herodotus, 450 B.C.).

There is nothing too difficult to be accomplished, if a man sets about it carefully, with a thoughtful mind. (Thirukkurahl – 537). 

அரியஎன்று ஆகாத இல்லைபொச் சாவாக் 

கருவியால் போற்றிச் செயின். (குறள் - 537).

            Ariya-yendru aagaadha yillai-poch chaavaak

            Karuviyaan poartri(ch) seyin. (Thirukkurahl – 537).

We must know the value doing the work before starting to do it; its worthiness and usefulness to others have to be considered. Then the procedure for doing the work must be analyzed. It is easy to do a simple work. It is easy to construct a small building. However, it is difficult to construct a 50-60 floor building. In western countries, there are so many buildings having 50-60 floors, and a few of 100 floors. It is very difficult to build a big hospital (with all the facilities).

England and France have constructed a rail link under the sea. In the United States of America, there are two road bridges, side by side, with a length of 40 KM (24 miles), across a lake. In Kolkatta (in India) and Sanfrancisco (in USA), there are hanging bridges. Like this, there are so many great and rare things in the world. We can’t even imagine how much responsibilities, commitments, planning, difficulties, and risks would have been involved in such great works. Thinking on the difficulties, if people have not performed those works, many countries and the world would not have developed.

Even if there is difficulty and risk, the important works have to be carried out. By following the proper methods and precautions, one can accomplish all great things.

March 5.

• In truth, we know nothing, for truth lies in the depth. (Democritus, 400 B.C.).

A clear, undimmed vision (of things) will deliver its possessors from the darkness (of future births), and confer the felicity (of heaven). (Thirukkurahl – 352). 

இருள்நீங்கி இன்பம் பயக்கும் மருள்நீங்கி 

மாசறு காட்சி யவர்க்கு. (குறள் - 352).

Yiruhl-neenghi inbham payakkum maruhl-neenghi

Maasaru kaatchi avarkku. (Thirukkurahl – 352).

We read news daily, talk so many things, hear many things, and look at a lot of things. All the things do not remain in our mind. But, only a few incidents are retained in our thoughts. It is due to our deep involvement in such things. If we do a bad thing intentionally, it will stay in our mind all the time. We are not able to realize the various mistakes which we do unintentionally. Once we realize that, we will feel sorry for our actions. Our mistakes do not disappear, just because we don’t realize that. We should be honest to our mind. Even if others do not understand it or even notice it, we should be true in our good actions. 

The gold will remain the same, what ever different shapes it takes by way of ornaments. The gold is available in different grades of purity, like 24 (100% pure), 22, 18, and14 karats. Gold is never destroyed. Like gold, truth (fact) can never be destroyed. If an object is to remain intact for a long time, it should be strong and not vulnerable to the surroundings. An object gets strength based on the way it is made. From a strong iron, we make steel, which is stronger. We should remember that the same iron, if unprotected, gets rusted by contact with air and water. 

Therefore, we must follow good approaches to develop our stature, and live a long life as great persons, with good principles and determination.

March 6.

• You cannot conceive the many without the one. (Plato, 400 B.C.).

Because, by the continuance of rain, the world is preserved in existence, it is worthy to be called ambrosia. (Thirukkurahl – 11).

வான்நின்று உலகம் வழங்கி வருதலால் 

தான்அமிழ்தம் என்றுணரற் பாற்று. (குறள் - 11).  

Vaan-nindru vulagam vazhanghi varudhalaal

Thaan-amizhdham yendru-uhnarar(p) paartru. (Thirukkurahl – 11).

There is a beginning for everything. Only if a child is born, it can grow into a man/woman. Only if a seed is planted, it can grow into a tree. Nobody will be able to answer to the question of how the seed came at the first time. Nobody has the power to understand it. Hence, to progress in life, we should try to understand things which are within our human limits, instead of trying to involve ourselves beyond that.

Only if we join a school and start learning, we can develop ourselves through higher studies, to become knowledgeable and great persons, scientists, doctors, engineers etc. Just like in education, one has to steadily grow in the living standards. Even if an industry is planned, it should be in a small level, which can be expanded gradually. Even to construct a big building, foundation is to be laid first. Only by the accumulation of rain drops, flood is obtained. Dry tanks and lakes get filled up gradually, due to steady rain.

We should dream of acquiring good knowledge. We should aim great. We should develop our capability steadily and progress in life to a great extent.

March 7.

• We should behave to our friends as we would wish our friends to behave to us. (Aristotle, 350 B.C.).

The love that dwells (merely) in the smiles of the face is not friendship; (but) that which dwells deep in the smiles of the heart is true friendship. (Thirukkurahl – 786). 

முகம்நக நட்பது நட்பன்று நெஞ்சத்து 

அகம்நக நட்பது நட்பு. (குறள் - 786). 

Mugha-nagha natpadhu natp(u)-andru; nenjaththu

Agha-nagha natpadhu natpu. (Thirukkurahl – 786).

All of us meet so many people in our life. But, we associate only with a few persons. There may be several reasons for that. Most of us will remember the friendship we get during our young age. If the thinking and character are same, such friendship will last long. If one has good habits, while the other has bad habits, their friendship will not be a good one. Sometimes, the friendship of two persons, both of bad characters, will appear to be good; a difference of opinion might erupt between them at any time. Their association cannot be called as friendship. It may be appropriate to use the word friendship, for the togetherness of persons who all have good habits and good thinking. We have to consider our friends as ourselves.

For a good friendship, the thinking of both the persons must be the same. Friends must compete with another, and help one another to progress in life. Friends should help one another in studies; one should help the other at times of difficulties while in job, in the adult age.

 What we think that others should do to our wellbeing, we should do that to others. That is the true and good friendship.

March 8.

• Education is the best provision for old age. (Aristotle, 350 B.C.).

The learning which a man has acquired in one birth will yield him pleasure during seven births. (Thirukkurahl – 398). 

ஒருமைக்கண் தான்கற்ற கல்வி ஒருவற்கு 

எழுமையும் ஏமாப்பு உடைத்து. (குறள் - 398).

Orumai(k)-kahn than-kartra kalvi oruvarkku

Yezhumaiyum yaemaappu vudaiththu. (Thirukkurahl – 398).

We can say that there is nothing as great as education. Education gives knowledge to the people. It also increases the knowledge. Since the knowledge is steadily increasing, people acquire good characters and lead better life, and also become role models for others to follow. If the knowledge does not improve, people behave as per their feelings, and get involved in bad actions. By education, one can lead a superb life. Education will make us do great contributions; we will be respected by the people. The ‘fame’, which one gets, is the only thing that remains long in the society.

To become famous, we have to do good things whenever an opportunity arises and whenever we have the capability. Over the years, people become old and their physical stamina decreases; but, their knowledge does not decrease. Their knowledge will be increasing based on the habit of continuous reading. Their dignity is never reduced.

Hence, education is the helping companion at old age. The education that one acquires at the young age is of continuous help in life, including at old age.

March 9.

• It is possible to fail in many ways, while to succeed is possible only in one way. (Aristotle, 350 B.C.).

After having considered, “this man can accomplish this, by these means,” let (the king) leave with him the discharge of that duty. (Thirukkurahl – 517). 

இதனை இதனால் இவன்முடிக்கும் என்றுஆய்ந்து

அதனை அவன்கண் விடல். (குறள் - 517). 

Yidhanai yidhanaal yivan-mudikkum yendr(u)-aaindhu

Adhanai avan-kahn vidal. (Thirukkurahl – 517).

If we look at the students who study in the school, we can find out how they study and behave. Some students’ education will be affected by long illnesses, which ultimately may even lead to discontinuation. Some people stop their studies for not being able to understand the lessons, or due to insufficient academic help. Some students discontinue their studies for want of sufficient financial support to meet the academic expenses, like tuition fees, purchase of books. Like this, there are many reasons based on which the studies of many young students are affected. Such students must try to overcome the difficulties, with the sole aim of completing their studies.

It is common for everyone to experience some difficulty in one way or other, in their life. If a television set is not functioning, there may be several reasons. A qualified technician will be able to locate the fault easily, and make the TV set work. But ordinary people cannot repair it; they may end up in creating more complications, leading to the discard of the unit. 

Therefore, we have to avoid the various routes having pitfalls, and choose the correct path to progress in life, with single aim, with guidance from suitable persons.

March 10.

• The root of the kingdom is in the state. The root of the state is in the family. The root of the family is in the person of its head. (Mencius, 300 B.C.).

Let a king daily examine the conduct of his servants; if they do not act crookedly, the world will not act crookedly. (Thirukkurahl – 520). 

நாள்தோறும் நாடுக மன்னன் வினைசெய்வான் 

கோடாமை கோடாது உலகு. (குறள் - 520).  

                   Naadorum naaduga mannan; vinai-seivaan

                    Koadaamai koadaadhu vulagu. (Thirukkurahl – 520).

It is a good thinking, if we want to live in a good nation. The thought of living with all comforts, and the thought of availability of the needed materials to all are good. But, everyone’s aspiration should be based on the education and the work done by them. Those who do farming should think of acquiring the materials needed for that work. A doctor should think of providing the medical facilities to the patients in that place. There will be different needs for a school, and a goldsmith who makes ornaments with gold. So, people should think of the necessary materials for their work as their need.

 Everyone should not aspire for everything. Too much of desire will end us in danger. If one wishes to have something, he should work well to achieve it. Nothing will come by itself. We should not expect the country to give it to us. What is a nation? The people and the things around us constitute the nation. If everyone in a family work and earn, the whole family will live happily with all the comforts. Similarly, if all the families do like that, the whole village will be prosperous. If all the villages and towns are like that, the whole nation will become prosperous. Then the nation will be respected by the rest of the world.

Only if all the parts of our body are in proper condition, we will be called healthy. If all the students are good in a school, then the school will be called a good school. Therefore, all of us must have good thoughts, and good habits; we must be sincere and hard working with commitment and happiness.

We learn good habits from our ancestors, elders, and especially the head of the family. Therefore, the head of a family (state, country) should be good. 

March 11.

• The great man is he who does not lose his child’s heart. (Mencius, 300 B.C.).

Resemblance of bodies is no resemblance of souls; true resemblance is the resemblance of qualities that attract. (Thirukkurahl – 993).                        

உறுப்புஒத்தல் மக்கள்ஒப்பு அன்றால் வெறுத்தக்க 

பண்புஒத்தல் ஒப்பதாம் ஒப்பு. (குறள் - 993).                     

                    Vuruppu-oththal makkahl-oppu andraal; veruththakka

                     Pahnbu-oththal oppadhaam oppu. (Thirukkurahl – 993).

  

When we are very young, we listen to our parents and do everything as they say, without any other thought. At the age when we don’t know the good or the bad, we grow without awareness, apart from playing and eating. As we grow further, we are able to recognize the effects of our surroundings; we are cautious of certain things, and keep progressing in certain lines, in spite of some impediments. If we cannot recognize such things, as we grow, we will be called ‘childish’.  Hence, we must learn everything as we grow.

We should not think that we can do all that we learn. The bad things must be recognized and avoided, while the good things must be followed. We see many programs from various channels on television. We wish to see the channel which we like. Instead, if we see all the channels at the same time, it will be a mess, confusing, and our time is wasted. Life is also like that. We have to plan our life as we want, in a good way, based on our capability. If we encounter some hindrances, we should overcome that. If we follow such practice, we can be considered as knowledgeable persons. If we recognize those who are responsible for our hindrances, we have to forgive them and proceed with our plan; this approach will make us great people. Therefore, as we grow, we have to retain the nature of the children who always and immediately forget the harms done to them.

Good nature is always good. Elders must be of good nature, and have the forgiving attitude like the children, and must be kind towards everyone.

March 12.

• There is no greater delight than to be conscious of sincerity on self-examination. (Mencius, 300 B.C.).

Whatever is done with a spotless mind is virtue; all else is vain show. (Thirukkurahl – 34).  

மனத்துக்கண் மாசிலன் ஆதல் அனைத்தறன் 

ஆகுல நீர பிற. (குறள் - 34).                   

                   Manaththu(k)-kahn maasilan aadhal anaithth(u)-aran

                   Aaghula neera pira. (Thirukkurahl – 34).

We all read daily according to our age (and capacity); we work, play, speak, and eat daily. All these actions must be good, useful, and capable of giving happiness to us and others. Sometimes, other persons may supervise our work; sometimes we have to do the work without any external supervision. Even if nobody supervises our work, we should not evade our duty, or do it improperly. If we err from our correct approach, it is equivalent to deceiving ourselves. We have to be true to ourselves to have peace of mind. If we err, our inner feelings will always be hurting us internally.

There are many types of work in which we have to be conscious within us. We should not see others while writing exams; should not take some one’s things without his/her knowledge; should not make spurious mixtures in food, medicine etc.; should not sell lower weight materials than the prescribed one; should not be idling while at work and so on. If the questions are not answered properly in an examination, the valuing teacher will not give marks. The examiner does not see the person who writes the test; only the answers are adjudged. Only those who don’t write the proper answers will lose the marks; the examiner does not lose anything. 

Therefore everyone has to be conscious to himself. 

March 13.

• Health and intellect are the two blessings of life. (Menander, 300 B.C.).

Those who possess wisdom possess everything; those who have not wisdom, whatever they may possess, have nothing. (Thirukkurahl – 430).

அறிவுடையார் எல்லாம் உடையார் அறிவிலார் 

என்னுடைய ரேனும் இலர். (குறள் - 430). 

                      Arivudaiyaar yellaam vudaiyaar; arivilaar

                      Yennudaiyar aenum yilar. (Thirukkurahl –  430).

     

The people in the world, or in any place, are different from one another. Nobody resembles another in a complete way. Sometimes, we hear of the resemblance of two people; sometimes we see like that. It will appear like that in a superficial way. But, by scientific methods, we can find the differences between them. The appearance, the health, and the intellect will be different for all the people. It is possible for us to utilize it properly and develop it more, to some extent. If we have that attitude, and will power to try it, we can become great. Instead of trying like that, we should not waste our life, thinking that we have no such facilities.

To have good intellect and character, one should have good health. Since a patient will be always thinking about his ill health, he does not have time to think of other things. He could not even try to improve his knowledge. Hence, good health is very important. People should keep their surroundings and their food clean, and hygienic. Young children get affected easily by unhygienic conditions.

Hence, children should be brought up in a hygienic condition. If it is followed, we can have a good society with good health and intellect, in the course of time. 

March 14.

• It is impossible to live pleasurably without living wisely, well, and justly, and impossible to live wisely, well, and justly without living pleasurably. (Epicurus, 300 B.C.).

Even while in this body, joy will never depart from the mind, in which desire, that sorrow of sorrows, has been destroyed. (Thirukkurahl – 369). 

இன்பம் இடையறாது ஈண்டும் அவாஎன்னும் 

துன்பத்துள் துன்பம் கெடின். (குறள் - 369).

                     Yinbham yidaiyaraadhu yeehndum; avaa-yennum

                     Thunbaththuhl thunbham kedin. (Thirukkurahl – 369).

If we are asked, ‘what we desire’, all of us will say ‘happy life’. If the question is ‘what is required for a happy life’, there will be different answers. All the answers will be ‘various things’. After getting that, they will be happy. The burglars who don’t get caught, and the people who cheat others, for example, may lead a posh and comfortable life; their happiness will be affected by the inner thought of getting caught by the police, at any time. Therefore, the deceivers, the thieves, and others who involve themselves with non-righteous living cannot lead a happy life. Hence to be happy, we have to think good, do well, and be on the righteous path. If we don’t follow this, we cannot live happily.

Unhappy life is the reason for committing mistakes and bad thinking. If a person is happy, his thinking will be good and he will not yield to bad ones. Therefore, one should think about how to be happy. A contented heart is like having gold. We should live the life we now have, with enjoyment. We feel sad since our desires and aspirations are greater than our capacity. Due to that, bad thoughts and bad actions erupt. That is wrong.

Therefore, we should try to think of developing our capability, instead of the thinking to have more comforts. Increased capability will pave way for fulfilling the good desires, for a happy life.

  

March 15.

• Not by age but capacity is wisdom acquired. (Plautus, 200 B.C.).

To discern the truth in everything, by whomsoever spoken, this is wisdom. (Thirukkurahl – 423).

எப்பொருள் யார்யார்வாய்க் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள் 

மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு. (குறள் - 423).

         Yepporuhl yaar-yaar-vaai(k) kaetpinum ap-poruhl

         Mei(p)-poruhl kaahnbadhu arivu. (Thirukkurahl – 423). 

All of us aspire for happy life. There are several ways to accomplish it. For everything there must be an aim. The path must be charted out and analyzed to achieve the aim. One must have good education and good characters. One should involve in that in the proper way. Instead, if one wastes his time without study or any work, his age will go on increasing but not the knowledge or wisdom. Whoever develops his education, and good character, he can become a scholar and a wise person. Nobody is considered a scholar and a wise person, based on age alone.

We appreciate the person, among many, who makes a nice figure from a stone, in a short time. We give prize to the person who comes first in a running race. Nobody gives prize for the runner, who arrives last. In the same manner, we recognize the persons who study well in the young age and lead a life with good characters, and consider them as scholars and wise people. If such people attain old age with good characters, we respect them as great persons.