Hopefulness in Trouble

Smile, with patient, hopeful heart, in troublous hour;
Meet and so vanquish grief; nothing hath equal power

Explanation
If troubles come, laugh; there is nothing like that, to press upon and drive away sorrow.

Tamil Transliteration
Itukkan Varungaal Nakuka Adhanai
Atuththoorvadhu Aqdhoppa Thil.

Though sorrow, like a flood, comes rolling on,
When wise men's mind regards it,- it is gone

Explanation
A flood of troubles will be overcome by the (courageous) thought which the minds of the wise will entertain, even in sorrow.

Tamil Transliteration
Vellath Thanaiya Itumpai Arivutaiyaan
Ullaththin Ullak Ketum.

Who griefs confront with meek, ungrieving heart,
From them griefs, put to grief, depart

Explanation
They give sorrow to sorrow, who in sorrow do not suffer sorrow.

Tamil Transliteration
Itumpaikku Itumpai Patuppar Itumpaikku
Itumpai Pataaa Thavar.

Like bullock struggle on through each obstructed way;
From such an one will troubles, troubled, roll away

Explanation
Troubles will vanish (i.e., will be troubled) before the man who (struggles against difficulties) as a.

Tamil Transliteration
Matuththavaa Yellaam Pakatannaan Utra
Itukkan Itarppaatu Utaiththu.

When griefs press on, but fail to crush the patient heart,
Then griefs defeated, put to grief, depart

Explanation
The troubles of that man will be troubled (and disappear) who, however thickly they may come upon him, does not abandon (his purpose).

Tamil Transliteration
Atukki Varinum Azhivilaan Utra
Itukkan Itukkat Patum.

Who boasted not of wealth, nor gave it all their heart,
Will not bemoan the loss, when prosperous days depart

Explanation
Will those men ever cry out in sorrow, "we are destitute" who, (in their prosperity), give not way to (undue desire) to keep their wealth.

Tamil Transliteration
Atremendru Allar Patupavo Petremendru
Ompudhal Thetraa Thavar.

'Man's frame is sorrow's target', the noble mind reflects,
Nor meets with troubled mind the sorrows it expects

Explanation
The great will not regard trouble as trouble, knowing that the body is the butt of trouble.

Tamil Transliteration
Ilakkam Utampitumpaik Kendru Kalakkaththaik
Kaiyaaraak Kollaadhaam Mel.

He seeks not joy, to sorrow man is born, he knows;
Such man will walk unharmed by touch of human woes

Explanation
That man never experiences sorrow, who does not seek for pleasure, and who considers distress to be natural (to man).

Tamil Transliteration
Inpam Vizhaiyaan Itumpai Iyalpenpaan
Thunpam Urudhal Ilan.

Mid joys he yields not heart to joys' control
Mid sorrows, sorrow cannot touch his soul

Explanation
He does not suffer sorrow, in sorrow who does not look for pleasure in pleasure.

Tamil Transliteration
Inpaththul Inpam Vizhaiyaadhaan Thunpaththul
Thunpam Urudhal Ilan.

Who pain as pleasure takes, he shall acquire
The bliss to which his foes in vain aspire

Explanation
The elevation, which even his enemies will esteem, will be gained by him, who regards pain as pleasure.

Tamil Transliteration
Innaamai Inpam Enakkolin Aakundhan
Onnaar Vizhaiyunj Chirappu.