Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 16 : The Possession of Patience, Forbearance
 

Introductory Note

Patience is one of seven Holy Virtues in Christianity. It is forbearance and endurance though moderation and is called “patientia” in Latin. It is the opposite of Anger / Wrath, one of the Seven Deadly Sins [2].

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” – Jesus Christ, The Beatitudes, Matthew 5.5 [3]. Meekness is also called Patience in Christian theology.

Translation(s)

As earth bears with men who delve into her breast; to bear with scornful men is best of virtues.

Explanation

Patience shown by a strong man is forbearance, while that by a weak man is something else, as elaborated further in Naladiyar 65:

“The young man’s self-restraint is self-restraint. The gift
Of him who owns no store of wealth is gift indeed.
When a man has means and might to punish every fault,
If he forbears, call him the patient man.”

Translation(s)

Forgiving trespasses is good always; forgetting them has even higher praise

 

Translation(s)

The sorest poverty is bidding unfed guests to depart. The mightiest might is to bear with men of fooling heart

 

Translation(s)

If you seek to retain honor that is never tarnished then you must guarding evermore maintain patience?

 

Translation(s)

Those who wreck their wrath are despised as worthless. Those who patiently forbear are prized as gold.

 

Translation(s)

Those who wreck their wrath have pleasure for a day; those who bear have praise till earth shall pass away.

Explanation

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." - Jesus Christ, Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6.14 to 6.15, The Bible [3].

Thirukural advices us not to retaliate but forbear, Jesus goes a step further and asks us to forgive. The difference is in the reward. Thirukural says the reward is lasting glory, but Jesus says reward is forgiveness for us from God.

Translation(s)

Though others do ill to you, you shall reap blessings thus: Grieve for their sin, keep yourself from vicious action!

Explanation

Naladiyar (221), a later Tamil composition, advices the above when those whom we respect are found to be waiting in virtue:

“When those to whom as good with strong desire we clung,
Prove otherwise; keep the sad secret un-divulged!
The growing grain hath husk, the water hath its foam;
And flowers have outer sheath of leaves.”

Naladiyar (223) extends it to when friends do us such ills which we never imagined:

“Lord of the lofty hilly land, where hum the bees
Through all the flowery Gongu glade! Though friends should work
Ills passing thought, to bear is the only thing that’s meet:
Patience of one is friendship of the twain.”

Translation(s)

When men with over weaning pride assail you with injuries, by your own righteous dealing you shall mightily prevail.

Explanation

The idea is same as in Saint Paul’s injunction: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Rom. xii, 21.

Translation(s)

They, who endure transgressors’ evil words with patience, are as pure as stern ascetics.

 

Translation(s)

Though we deem the men who fast and suffer pain as ‘great’; those who endure others’ bitter words, obtain the foremost place.

Explanation

Naladiyar, a later Tamil composition, repeats this idea:

“To bear with those that speak despiteful words; yea, more,
To say, ‘Ah, will they sink in the other world to hell,
The place of fire, as fruit of their despiteful words,”
And grieve, is duty of the perfect man.”
– Naladiyar 58.

Summary Note

Forbearing is of two kinds - forbearing evil deeds (155 to 158) and forbearing with evil words (159-160).

View from East,
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari, India
Credit: Baskhar, Flickr

References