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.