Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
Click the links here to read Thirukural in
Hindi,
Arabic, French, Kannada, Konkani, Latin, Malayalam, Marathi, Russian

Chapter - 67 : Power in Action
 

Translation(s)

What men call ‘power in action’ know it to be ‘power of mind,’ you find all other aids to man are external.

Explanation

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."
- Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves."
- Edmund Hillary, The First Man to Climb Mount Everest alongwith Norgay Tenzing. Mount Everest is the Highest Mountain Peak in the World.

Translation(s)

Those that search out truth declare that these two define your way: “Shun each hindrance;” and “unyielding press onward if obstacle be there.”

Explanation

"The only thing we have to fear s fear itself."
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1933

Translation(s)

Man’s fitting work is known only by success achieved; if the plan is revealed midway, it brings ruin that is never retrieved.

 

Translation(s)

The speech that shows the way is easy to (understand for) every man, but it’s a hard thing to shape one’s life by words they say.

Explanation

Remind of the reaction – easier said than done.

Rev G U Pope: This idea has been expressed in most languages. This couplet seems to be a translation of a shloka in Hitopdesha (III-107).

The comparison will illustrate the relative powers of the languages and the merit of a kural couplet as compared to the Sanskrit shloka.

Translation(s)

The power in act of renowned and great men, with king’s acceptance finds fame through all the state.

 

Translation(s)

Whatever men think, they may obtain even as they think, if those who think retain their steadfastness of will.

Explanation

Importance of will power or steadfastness is emphasized:

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right!"
-Henry Ford

"He can who thinks he can, and he can't who thinks he can't. This is an inexorable, indisputable law."
- Henry Ford

"The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work."
- Oprah Winfrey (1954 - )"""Everybody here has the ability to do anything I do and much beyond. Some of you will and some of you won't. For those who won't, it will be because you get in your own way, not because the world doesn't allow you.""
- Warren Buffett, speaking at the University of Washington about achieving success.

"My illusions didn't have anything to do with being a fine actress. I knew how third rate I was. I could actually feel my lack of talent, as if it were cheap clothes I was wearing inside. But, my God, how I wanted to learn, to change, to improve!"
- Marilyn Monroe, Film Actress, USA (1926- 1962)

Translation(s)

Do not despise men of modest bearing, do not look at form but what they are; for some live there (in modest bearing or form) sharing high functions like linchpin of the mighty car.

Explanation

The truth of this verse I released when I saw Mr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the --- President of India.

Translation(s)

What clearly eye discerns as right; that man should fulfill with steadfast will and unslumbering mind.

Explanation

There is an interpretation issue. I think the poet means what one clearly see as right – i.e. not the by the physical eye but by minds.

"The most important thing about goals is having one."
- Geoffry Abert

"This one step - choosing a goal and sticking to it - changes everything."
- Scott Read

"If you want to make good use of your time, you've got to know what's most important and then give it all you've got."
- Lee Iacocca, American Industrialist and Automobile Executive

"Dream is not what you see in sleep. It is the thing that does not let you sleep."
- APJ Abdul Kalam, One of the archtects of zIndian Nuclear programme, President of India"The most important thing about goals is having one."
- Geoffry Abert

"This one step - choosing a goal and sticking to it - changes everything."
- Scott Read

"If you want to make good use of your time, you've got to know what's most important and then give it all you've got."
- Lee Iacocca, American Industrialist and Automobile Executive

"Dream is not what you see in sleep. It is the thing that does not let you sleep."
- APJ Abdul Kalam, One of the archtects of zIndian Nuclear programme, President of India

Translation(s)

Though toil and trouble face you, hold fast to your firm resolve; and do the deeds that yield pleasure the last.

Explanation

This verse is advice against procrastination, which we often find in Time Management. Why do we procrastinate? One of the reasons is that we tend to do what is pleasurable and postpone what is difficult.

Translation(s)

The world does not desire men who possess every power; but it wants people who do not desire power in act, they are crown of all the rest (of men).

Explanation

Chk translation

Google Map of Kanyakumari (India). Thiruvalluvar Statue is on the smaller island,
Vivekananda Memorial on the bigger island. You can also see end of mainland India.
Credit: Chennai CutOut, Flickr

References