Kural #472
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Tamil text
ஒல்வது அறிவது அறிந்ததன் கண்தங்கிச்
செல்வார்க்குச் செல்லாதது இல்
Olvatu aṟivatu aṟintataṉ kaṇtaṅkic
Celvārkkuc cellātatu il
English translation
Nothing is impossible for those who know what is achievable and stay focused on what they know they can accomplish.
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Explanation
Success comes to those with realistic self-assessment who concentrate their efforts on achievable goals. Knowing your limits is not weakness - it is wisdom that leads to sustained success.
விளக்கம்
தமக்கு எது முடியும் எனத் தெரிந்து, அதை உறுதியாகச் செய்து முடிப்பவருக்கு முடியாதது ஏதுமில்லை. இது "வலியறிதல்" அதிகாரத்தில் வருவதால், தன் பலம் அறிந்து செயல்படுவது முக்கியம் என்கிறது. தன்னம்பிக்கையுடன் முயற்சி செய்தால் வெற்றி நிச்சயம்.
Word meanings
- ஒல்வதுolvatuwhat is possible
- அறிவதுaṟivatuknowing
- அறிந்ததுaṟintatuwhat is known
- கண்kaṇin/at
- தங்கிtaṅkistaying
- செல்வார்க்குcelvārkkufor those who proceed
- செல்லாததுcellātatuimpossible thing
- இல்ilthere is not
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a vast forest lived two woodcutters, Arun and Bala. Arun, strong and boastful, declared he would fell the tallest oak in a single day. He swung his axe with mighty blows, but the oak barely yielded. Exhausted, he collapsed, the sun setting before he made much progress. Bala, however, chose a smaller tree, one he knew he could manage. He worked steadily, his movements precise and efficient. As Arun watched, still panting, Bala’s axe rang true, and the smaller tree fell quickly. The next day, Arun tried again, this time aiming for a mid-sized tree. Again, he tired quickly, hacking away without much success. Bala, meanwhile, felled several trees of similar size to the first, stacking his wood neatly. He had enough to sell at the market. Arun went home empty-handed.