March 16.

• Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. (Plautus, 200 B.C.).

Though others inflict injuries on you, yet compassionating the sorrow (that will come upon them) it will be well not to do to them anything contrary to virtue. (Thirukkurahl – 157).

திறனல்ல தற்பிறர் செய்யினும் நோநொந்து 

அறனல்ல செய்யாமை நன்று. (குறள் - 157).               

Thiran-alla thar-pirar seiyinum no-nondhu

          Aran-alla seiyaamai nandru. (Thirukkurahl – 157).

There is a saying: “Patience is bigger (greater) than ocean”. If someone causes trouble to us, it is common to react to them with anger, bad words, or bad actions, by ordinary people. If we overcome that moment with patience, we will become dignified. Those who caused trouble to us, or insulted us, will approach us with apology. Some people realize their mistakes in a couple of days. Some people may take a longer time to apologize, due to their false prestige. Once a mistake is committed, it is not going to vanish. Great people will ignore such things done to them, and proceed with their work. If one finds fault with everything, there will be nothing left. So, it is not nice to look for others’ mistakes all the time, and keep referring the mistakes often. However, those who make the mistakes should realize their fault and correct themselves. If they don’t correct themselves, it is bad only for them.

So, one should not hurt anybody. If it is done by mistake, one should apologize and correct it soon. The mistake, which occurs at the work due to inexperience, is a different kind. If a student makes a mistake while reading a passage, it will be corrected by the teacher; this kind of mistake does not require apology.

The words and actions which wound others’ feelings are great mistakes. Nobody should behave like that. If it is done, one should be calm and patient towards such people, who commit such harm. 

March 17.

• Let not the fruit of action be thy motive, nor be thy attachment to inaction. (Bhagavad Gita).

He who destroys the pride which says “I”, “mine”, will enter a world which is even above the gods. (Thirukkurahl – 346).

யான்எனது என்னும் செருக்குஅறுப்பான் வானோர்க்கு

உயர்ந்த உலகம் புகும். (குறள் - 346). 

                  Yaan-yenadhu yennum serukku-aruppaan vaanoarkku

                  Vuyarndha vulagham pughum. (Thirukkurahl – 346).

We always want to receive, or know, whether we will get suitable reward for what we do. This is human nature. There are so many jobs/works in the world, which are done with expectations. The payment/salary which one gets for doing a work is not to be taken as an example. To expect an award for doing a work is wrong. If we don’t get the appreciation, (or reward), we will feel bad; we will hesitate to do such work. This attitude is wrong. Parent helps the children grow. Teachers teach their students with great enthusiasm. Many persons do social service to the benefit of the people. Like this, many people do a lot of work. It is not possible for everyone to recognize this. In the same manner, good work must be performed without expecting any return or reward.

For every action, there is a suitable reward/reaction. No energy is wasted. The energy gets changed. We are able to recognize some changes. Sometimes, we are not able to recognize the changes (conversions/rewards). It does not mean that there is no reaction (reward, benefit). We generate electricity through hydroelectric power generators by making use of the water falls. We are not able to see the electricity. But, no one refutes the generation of electricity. We all know the usage of x-ray, which shows us the bones and other inner parts of our body; but, none of us could see the x-ray. We need proper film to get the picture (the benefit). Several surgeries are done by the use of laser energy, which is a very powerful light energy source; but, we don’t see the laser light.

 Our good deeds will help us in good ways on other occasions. Likewise, bad deeds will result in giving bad effects to us. Therefore, we should do our duty (our good work) without expecting the reward.

March 18.

• Better one’s own duty, though imperfect, than another’s duty well performed. (Bhagavad Gita).

An act that has been firmly resolved on, must be as firmly carried out without delay. (Thirukkurahl – 668).

கலங்காது கண்ட வினைக்கண் துளங்காது 

தூக்கம் கடிந்து செயல். (குறள் - 668).

       Kalangaadhu kahnda vinai(k)-kahn thuhlangaadhu

       Thookkam kadindhu seyal. (Thirukkurahl – 668).

Every one of us should perform our duty. During young days, we should focus our attention on education and develop our capability. Based on our capability, we should carry out our duty. Based on that, we should be happy on the work, and lead a peaceful life. 

At young age, if we don’t do well in studies which build our capability, we lose the chance of obtaining a good job later. This leads to a life of less comfort, which affects our contented life, and ultimately ends in bad thoughts to earn money.

We should study well and build our capability, in spite of what ever difficulties we may encounter. There should be dignity in the work we do. If there is difficulty in our work, we should overcome that with hard work and finish the task nicely. Instead of that, we should not think of doing simple jobs, which others have already done. If every one repeats what the others have done, there will be no development at home, or in a nation. If our elders had lived with the same thought, we will not be enjoying our life with the present comforts, and developments. Before 50 years, the buses and trains were run by coal; people traveled for 30 days by ship between India and USA, instead of the present 20 hour air-travel.

Therefore, everyone must think of doing something new and good, for the development of the society. We should acquire the capability at young age.

March 19.

• There is no winess so dreadful, no accuser so terrible as the conscience that dwells in the heart of every man. (Polybius, 200 B.C.). 

Let not a man knowingly tell a lie; for after he has told the lie, his mind will burn him (with the memory of his guilt). (Thirukkurahl – 293).

தன்நெஞ்சு அறிவது பொய்யற்க பொய்த்தபின் 

தன்நெஞ்சே தன்னைச் சுடும். (குறள் - 293).  

                   Than-nenju arivadhu poiyarkka; poiththapin

                   Than-nenjae thannai(ch) sudum. (Thirukkurahl – 293).

We should not wantonly hurt or do anything bad to others. Sometimes the person, who is responsible for the damage, may go unnoticed. Even then, those who committed the mistake will always remember it, and lose his peace of mind. Young people may not understand this. It is because young people do not plan to hurt others. They don’t cultivate pride in them. If children commit mistakes, it is not intentional. If some bad thing is intentionally done, it is wrong.

If something is stolen from a house, the burglar will remember the incident for a long time. The affected person might forget the incident, after some time, and continue his work with extra care. If a business man cheats others with less weight in the transactions, he will never have a peace of mind. Likewise, if a student copies from others in an examination, it will be hurting him through out his life.

Therefore, everyone must think of their consciousness and restrain from hurting others. It is necessary to practice these good habits from young age. If young people learn good things from teachers and great persons, and follow them, our country will become great. All must cooperate to achieve this.

    

March 20.

• Those who aim at great deeds, must also suffer greatly. (Crassus, 70 B. C.).

Though it should cause increasing sorrow (at the outset), do with firmness the act that yields bliss (in the end). (Thirukkurahl – 669).

துன்பம் உறவரினும் செய்க துணிவாற்றி 

இன்பம் பயக்கும் வினை. (குறள் - 669). 

         Thunbham vuravu-arinum seigha thuhniv(u)-aartri

         Yinbham payakkum vinai. (Thirukkurahl – 669).

Everybody works according to their education, capability, and surroundings, to lead a comfortable life in the world. A suitable payment (sometimes, a reward, honor), is made to them based on their efficiency in their work. Some work will require physical strength. Some work will be educational and knowledge based. The two types of works are like the rail track; it should not be separated. If both merge into one, it is dangerous. Likewise, if everyone wish to do the same type of work, it is impossible for all of us to live in the world.

Everyone must do his work according to his capability. Only if teachers keep themselves abreast of their knowledge, by continuous reading, they can teach the students properly. If the workers in an industry work hard and for more time, they can manufacture the products in large quantities, which will help to reduce the cost of the product. If new technology is used in farming, and farmers put in more efforts, the people can live without any deficiency of food. No work can be left out as difficult. We should entrust such work to suitable persons. Doctors may have to do long hours of surgery to save a patient. The head of a country, like president or prime minister, will normally work for 15-20 hours a day. Based on the hard work of scientists (who worked day and night), our medical accomplishments have greatly improved. Based on the hard work of various people, our living standards have improved.

To accomplish great things, we have to work with determination, without yielding to impediments.

March 21.

• Draw from others the lesson that may profit yourself. (Terrence, 150 B.C.).

So to act as to make those men, his own, who are greater than himself, is of all power the highest. (Thirukkurahl – 444). 

தம்மிற் பெரியார் தமரா ஒழுகுதல்

வன்மையுள் எல்லாம் தலை. (குறள் - 444).

      Thammir(p) periyaar thamaraa ozhugudhal

      Vanmyuhl yellaam thalai. (Thirukkurahl –  444). 

All of us wish to live happily. If we earn in good manner, we can live happily. If we acquire wealth in a wrong method, we may live with all comforts, but not with peace of mind. We have to think of a good life, and adjust ourselves. Will any of us use a damaged bridge to cross a flooding river, after hearing the washing away of another vehicle, sometime earlier? We will not do it certainly. If some place is affected by an epidemic, we will avoid our travel to that place. If some school did not produce even a single successful student, nobody will like to join in that school. If all the students in a college get placements in leading companies, everyone would like to join that college. Therefore, we have to look at others and the changes they have undergone, towards a good life. We should keep that in mind to progress in our life, with necessary precautions based on others’ experiences.

We should not think of starting to do everything from the beginning. People have built and developed the computers. If everyone thinks to do the same thing from the beginning, we cannot achieve further development. We have to understand the past and the existing situation, and then plan for further improvement.

 There is a saying: “Failure is the stepping stone for success”. We need not experience and go through the same failure to achieve success. We have to find out the reason for the failure of others, and overcome that obstacle to be successful. If we do that, others’ experience will be helpful to us.

    

March 22.

       

• There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly. (Terrence, 150 B.C.).

Firmness in action is (simply) one’s firmness of mind; all other abilities are not of this nature. (Thirukkurahl – 661).

வினைத்திட்பம் என்பது ஒருவன் மனத்திட்பம்

மற்றைய எல்லாம் பிற. (குறள் - 661).

                      Vinai(th)-thitpam yenbadhu oruvan mana(th)-thitpam

                      Martaiya yellaam pira. (Thirukkurahl – 661).

The work we do will be hard for some people and simple for some other people. The reason for that is their preparedness for such work and their qualifications. When children are requested to buy something from a store, they will complain of tiredness and avoid that work. However, if they are to go for playing some games, they will readily do that. This is natural for children. Everyone will complete a work, however hard it may be, if they like it. Sportsmen practice their game of choice for hours, every day. We see the business men sitting at the shop for several hours daily, from morning to night. The reason is that the business men are interested in the sales and the profit. If they are asked to sit for an hour or so at some other place, they will not accept it.

Therefore, we can be happy when we choose the job of our interest, based on the aim, education, and experience. We should happily involve ourselves in the work without any tension. Due to tension, our energy is wasted. We can attend to the work with full concentration, only if we are happy. Good and proper breathing help us gain energy, by the oxygen intake and circulation in the body.

Hence, we should do our work with enthusiasm and happiness. If we do anything with aversion, it will appear as hard and difficult.

March 23.

• If a man aspires to the highest place, it is no dishonor to him at the second, or even at the third. (Cicero, 100 B.C.).

In all that a king thinks of, let him think of his greatness; and if it should be thrust from him (by fate), it will have the nature of not being thrust from him. (Thirukkurahl – 596).  

உள்ளுவ தெல்லாம் உயர்வுள்ளல் மற்றது

தள்ளினும் தள்ளாமை நீர்த்து. (குறள் - 596).                     

                    Vuhlluvadhu yellaam vuyar-vuhllal; martradhu

                    Thahllinum thahllaamai neerththu. (Thirukkurahl – 596).

We all think of studying to a high level, getting a good job, and obtaining high honors in life. It is correct to think like that; one should take suitable steps to achieve it. If a dam is to be built, it should be of suitable height and must hold good amount of water. While studying, the students should think of obtaining higher degrees, and study well from the beginning. They should get more marks and high grades in each examination. If one gets low marks, it will not be possible to go to the next higher class or grade, or a prestigious college/University. Everyone must think of getting high marks and especially first rank. Many students can get the same marks and obtain first rank. If one gets a few marks less, he may get the second or third rank. One should not think that it is not possible, and remain idle without taking any effort from the beginning. It is wrong if one complains that somebody else got the first rank; it is equally wrong to think that no other person should get the first rank.

 In sports, only if a person attains the top place at the school level, he can get into the team at the district level. Only those who get into the district level teams will have the chance to become state and national level players. In sports, and in academic programs, prizes are given for those who obtain first, second, and third places. 

Therefore, we should always think of attaining high levels and take the proper steps at every stage.

March 24.

• Give me a young man in whom there is something of the old and an old man with something of the young; guided so, a man may grow old in body, but never in mind. (Cicero, 100 B.C.).

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

எப்பொருள் யார்யார்வாய்க் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள் 

மெய்ப்பொரூள் காண்பது அறிவு. (குறள் - 423).

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

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

There are a lot of differences between young age and old age. We all know the physical (external) differences. But, we should know the difference in the inside (internal). In many schools, the academically best student is selected as the school pupil leader. It is because he is more knowledgeable by his proper studies. He thinks steadily unlike other students, and then gets into action. There will be speed at young age. To be wise, one must have good education, thinking capacity and determined thoughts. To acquire this, one must have sufficient age. If the speed of the youth is coupled with wisdom, the person could accomplish great things in life. 

The elders could tell valuable suggestions and plans, based on their long experience. But, they will hesitate to execute the work. The reason for that hesitation is that their old age will prevent their hard work and enthusiasm. Hence, if the enthusiasm and will power of the young people are present in them, the elders will prepare good plans, and complete the work.

Therefore, young people require the wisdom of the elders. The elders require the speed of the youth. If all people are like that, the nation will flourish.

March 25.

• Men willingly believe what they wish. (Julius Caesar, 100 B.C.).

Gripping avarice is not to be reckoned as one among other faults; (it stands alone-greater than all). (Thirukkurahl – 438). 

பற்றுள்ளம் என்னும் இவறன்மை எற்றுள்ளும் 

எண்ணப் படுவதொன் றன்று. (குறள் - 438).

                   Partruhllam yennum yivaranmai yertruhllum

                   Yehnnap paduvadh(u)-ondru andru. (Thirukkurahl – 438).

When we want to do a job, we should first think about the job, whether it could be done, and how it cold be done. If we want to get some job, many people will give different suggestions. There may be persons who give good suggestions and guidelines, as well as some who deceive us by giving wrong ideas. To achieve our aim, we should approach good people, listen to them, and then proceed in that line. We should not blindly follow as what others say. We should analyze to find out which is good and which is bad. 

Many people cheat others by promising to arrange for jobs to them. To achieve our aim, we tend to believe everything we hear from others. This is human nature. We should think based on our knowledge. We should not act according to our feelings (of the mind). We all believe that whatever we think is correct. Instead of that, we should consult the wise persons, and follow their suggestions, which are provided based on their knowledge. We should not think that only our thoughts will be correct. Such thinking is based on our desire only, but not on our knowledge. We will not believe (or follow) others’ suggestions, if they say anything contrary to our wish. 

Therefore, if we want to progress in life, we have to think based on our knowledge, but not based on our feelings and desires.