Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar who lived around 3rd Century. It’s translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.
CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT
ASSESSING STRENGTH
அதிகாரம் 48
வலி அறிதல்
~*~
Original
வினைவலியும் தன்வலியும் மாற்றான் வலியும்
துணைவலியும் தூக்கிச் செயல்.
Pronunciation
Vinaivaliyum thanvaliyum maatraan valiyum
thuNaivaliyum thookkic cheyal.
Translation
Assess strength of self
Action, opponent, support-
Go all out thyself.
Comment
One has to embark on an action after assessing his own strength, skills to accomplish, the strength of the opponent and the strength of the ones who support.
~*~
Original
ஒல்வது அறிவது அறிந்ததின் கண்தங்கிச்
செல்வார்க்குச் செல்லாலது இல்..
Pronunciation
Olvadhu arivadhu i arindhadhin kaNthangkich
Chelvaarkkuch chellaadhadhu ill.
Translation
Nothing can stop one,
Who is firm and knows his strength
He is bound to win!.
Comment
The one who assesses what he is capable of, and how to accomplish the same, and quite firm in his views and action, is sure to successfully complete his work.
~*~
Original
உடைத்தம் வலிஅறியார் ஊக்கத்தின் ஊக்கி
இடைக்கண் முரிந்தார் பலர்.
Pronunciation
Udaiththam valiariyaar ookkaththin ookki
IdaikkaN murindhaar palar.
Translation
Who knows not his strength
Plunges into action fast
Grieves and leaves in depth.
Comment
Many leave the taken work in the middle when they embark on the same in a fit of emotion without assessing his strength.
~*~
Original
அமைந்தாங்கு ஒழுகான் அளவுஅறியான் தன்னை
வியந்தான் விரைவு கெடும்.
Pronunciation
Amaindhaangku ozukaan aLavuariyaan thannai
Viyandhaan viraivu kedum.
Translation
Who knows not his strength
Nor go with others but brags
Gets doomed, falls to depth.
Comment
The one who does not discuss his capacity with others and does not assess himself but thinks high of himself and begins to act is bound to meet with failure.
~*~
Original
பீலிபெய் சாகாடும் அச்சுஇறும்; அப்பண்டம்
சால மிகுத்துப் பெயின்.
Pronunciation
Peelipei saakaadum achchu irum appaNdam
Saala mikuththup peyin.
Translation
Weighty peacock’s plume
Breaks the axle of the cart
Lack of knowledge slips.
Comment
Though the plumes of a peacock are thin and weightless, if it is stacked beyond a limit in a cart, the axle of the cart may get broken due to the weight beyond a limit.
~*~
Original
நுனிக்கொம்பர் ஏறினார் அஃதுஇறந்து ஊக்கின்
உயிர்க்குஇறுதி யாகி விடும்.
Pronunciation
Nunikkombar aerinaar ahdhu irandhu ookkin
Uyirkku iruthiyaaki vidum.
Translation
Who climbs beyond tip
Of the branch is bound to fall
Sure to break his hip!
Comment
The one who climbs up to the top of the tree and still tries to step above, he falls down even to the extent of his death.
~*~
Original
ஆற்றின் அளவறிந்து ஈக; அதுபொருள்
போற்றி வழங்கும் நெறி.
Pronunciation
Aatrin aLavarindhu eega: adhuporuL
Poatri vazangkum neri.
Translation
Know thy strength before
Spend and give in charity
Lest come to grief sure!
Comment
Within the limits of our income, we have to resort to charity; that indeed is the right method of earning, helping and saving.
~*~
Original
ஆகுஆறு அளவுஇட்டிது ஆயினும் கேடுஇல்லை
போகுஆறு இயலாக் கடை..
Pronunciation
Aaguaaru aLavuittiyadhu aayinum kaeduillai
Poaguaaru iyalaak kadai.
Translation
It can do no harm
If expenses are controlled
Within income firm!
Comment
Though ones income is less and if the expenses are controlled within income it does no harm.
~*~
Original
அளவுஅறிந்து வாழாதான் வாழ்க்கை உளபோல
இல்லாகித் தோன்றாக் கெடும்.
Pronunciation
ALavuarindhu vaazaadhaan vaazkkai uLapoala
Illaagith thoandraak kedum.
Translation
Not lived within bounds
Sure to go wayward and doom
Though seems abounded.
Comment
If one does not assess his wealth and spend, the accumulated wealth will get lost though it appears to be handsome.
~*~
Original
உளவரை தூக்காத ஒப்புரவு ஆண்மை
வளவரை வல்லைக் கெடும்.
Pronunciation
ULavarai thookkaadha oppuravu aaNmai
VaLavarai vallaik kedum.
Translation
Wealth earned vanishes
If no control maintained in
Spending lavishly!
Comment
If one resorts to charity at a large scale, without assessing his wealth, the existing wealth will get lost.
Accurate assessment of Strength is important for one as a WINNER!
Economy in spending
Provision for charity
Guard your hard-earned Wealth!
Awareness of your Strength and Limitations
Also those of opponents
Forethought that precedes action
Sharing others’ knowledge and wisdom –
All put together make you a WINNER!!!
Valluvar was a pre-runner to all those so called gurus of modern world, who talk about SWOT Analysis and all.
It is delight to note valluvars wisdom gems aptly shines in past, present and future. It is an alltime tonic igniting the effectiveness of man. Thank you very much sir.