Chapter 60: Energy

உடையர் எனப்படுவது ஊக்கம் அஃதில்லார்
உடையது உடையரோ மற்று.

Utaiyar Enappatuvadhu Ookkam Aqdhillaar
Utaiyadhu Utaiyaro Matru

To own is to own energy All others own but lethargy

Meaning: Energy makes out the man of property; as for those who are destitute of it, do they (really) possess what they possess ?

உள்ளம் உடைமை உடைமை பொருளுடைமை
நில்லாது நீங்கி விடும்.

Ullam Utaimai Utaimai Porulutaimai
Nillaadhu Neengi Vitum

Psychic heart is wealth indeed Worldly wealth departs in speed

Meaning: The possession of (energy of) mind is true property; the possession of wealth passes away and abides not

ஆக்கம் இழந்தேமென்று அல்லாவார் ஊக்கம்
ஒருவந்தம் கைத்துடை யார்.

Aakkam Izhandhemendru Allaavaar Ookkam
Oruvandham Kaiththutai Yaar

The strong in will do not complain The loss of worldly wealth and gain

Meaning: They who are possessed of enduring energy will not trouble themselves, saying, "we have lost our property."

ஆக்கம் அதர்வினாய்ச் செல்லும் அசைவிலா
ஊக்க முடையா னுழை.

Aakkam Adharvinaaich Chellum Asaivilaa
Ookka Mutaiyaa Nuzhai

Fortune enquires, enters with boom Where tireless strivers have their home

Meaning: Wealth will find its own way to the man of unfailing energy

வெள்ளத் தனைய மலர்நீட்டம் மாந்தர்தம்
உள்ளத் தனையது உயர்வு.

Vellath Thanaiya Malarneettam Maandhardham
Ullath Thanaiyadhu Uyarvu

Water depth is lotus height Mental strength is men's merit

Meaning: The stalks of water-flowers are proportionate to the depth of water; so is men's greatness proportionate to their minds

உள்ளுவ தெல்லாம் உயர்வுள்ளல் மற்றது
தள்ளினுந் தள்ளாமை நீர்த்து.

Ulluva Thellaam Uyarvullal Matradhu
Thallinun Thallaamai Neerththu

Let thoughts be always great and grand Though they fail their virtues stand

Meaning: In all that a king thinks of, let him think of his greatness; and if it should be thrust from him (by fate), it will have the nature of not being thrust from him

சிதைவிடத்து ஒல்கார் உரவோர் புதையம்பிற்
பட்டுப்பா டூன்றுங் களிறு.

Sidhaivitaththu Olkaar Uravor Pudhaiyampir
Pattuppaa Toondrung Kaliru

Elephants are firm when arrows hit Great minds keep fit ev'n in defeat

Meaning: The strong minded will not faint, even when all is lost; the elephant stands firm, even when wounded by a shower of arrows

உள்ளம் இலாதவர் எய்தார் உலகத்து
வள்ளியம் என்னுஞ் செருக்கு.

Ullam Ilaadhavar Eydhaar Ulakaththu
Valliyam Ennunj Cherukku

Heartless persons cannot boast \"We are liberal to our best\"

Meaning: Those who have no (greatness of) mind, will not acquire the joy of saying in the world, "we have excercised liaberality"

பரியது கூர்ங்கோட்டது ஆயினும் யானை
஦வ்ருஉம் புலிதாக் குறின்.

Pariyadhu Koorngottadhu Aayinum Yaanai
Veruum Pulidhaak Kurin

Huge elephant sharp in tusk quails When tiger, less in form, assails

Meaning: Although the elephant has a large body, and a sharp tusk, yet it fears the attack of the tiger

உரமொருவற்கு உள்ள வெறுக்கைஅஃ தில்லார்
மரம்மக்க ளாதலே வேறு.

Uramoruvarku Ulla Verukkaiaq Thillaar
Marammakka Laadhale Veru

Mental courage is true manhood Lacking that man is like a wood

Meaning: Energy is mental wealth; those men who are destitute of it are only trees in the form of men