Manly Effort

Say not, 'Tis hard', in weak, desponding hour,
For strenuous effort gives prevailing power

Explanation
Yield not to the feebleness which says, "this is too difficult to be done"; labour will give the greatness (of mind) which is necessary (to do it).

Tamil Transliteration
Arumai Utaiththendru Asaavaamai Ventum
Perumai Muyarsi Tharum.

In action be thou, 'ware of act's defeat;
The world leaves those who work leave incomplete

Explanation
Take care not to give up exertion in the midst of a work; the world will abandon those who abandon their unfinished work.

Tamil Transliteration
Vinaikkan Vinaiketal Ompal Vinaikkurai
Theerndhaarin Theerndhandru Ulaku.

In strenuous effort doth reside
The power of helping others: noble pride

Explanation
The lustre of munificence will dwell only with the dignity of laboriousness or efforts.

Tamil Transliteration
Thaalaanmai Ennum Thakaimaikkan Thangitre
Velaanmai Ennunj Cherukku.

Beneficent intent in men by whom no strenuous work is wrought,
Like battle-axe in sexless being's hand availeth nought

Explanation
The liberality of him, who does not labour, will fail, like the manliness of a hermaphrodite, who has a sword in its hand.

Tamil Transliteration
Thaalaanmai Illaadhaan Velaanmai Petikai
Vaalaanmai Polak Ketum.

Whose heart delighteth not in pleasure, but in action finds delight,
He wipes away his kinsmen's grief and stands the pillar of their might

Explanation
He who desires not pleasure, but desires labour, will be a pillar to sustain his relations, wiping away their sorrows.

Tamil Transliteration
Inpam Vizhaiyaan Vinaivizhaivaan Thankelir
Thunpam Thutaiththoondrum Thoon.

Effort brings fortune's sure increase,
Its absence brings to nothingness

Explanation
Labour will produce wealth; idleness will bring poverty.

Tamil Transliteration
Muyarsi Thiruvinai Aakkum Muyatrinmai
Inmai Pukuththi Vitum.

In sluggishness is seen misfortune's lurid form, the wise declare;
Where man unslothful toils, she of the lotus flower is there

Explanation
They say that the black Mudevi (the goddess of adversity) dwells with laziness, and the Latchmi (the goddess of prosperity) dwells with the labour of the industrious.

Tamil Transliteration
Matiyulaal Maamukati Enpa Matiyilaan
Thaalulaan Thaamaraiyi Naal.

'Tis no reproach unpropitious fate should ban;
But not to do man's work is foul disgrace to man

Explanation
Adverse fate is no disgrace to any one; to be without exertion and without knowing what should be known, is disgrace.

Tamil Transliteration
Poriyinmai Yaarkkum Pazhiyandru Arivarindhu
Aalvinai Inmai Pazhi.

Though fate-divine should make your labour vain;
Effort its labour's sure reward will gain

Explanation
Although it be said that, through fate, it cannot be attained, yet labour, with bodily exertion, will yield its reward.

Tamil Transliteration
Theyvaththaan Aakaa Theninum Muyarsidhan
Meyvaruththak Kooli Tharum.

Who strive with undismayed, unfaltering mind,
At length shall leave opposing fate behind

Explanation
They who labour on, without fear and without fainting will see even fate (put) behind their back.

Tamil Transliteration
Oozhaiyum Uppakkam Kaanpar Ulaivindrith
Thaazhaadhu Ugnatru Pavar.