Kural #473
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Tamil text
உடைத்தம் வலியறியார் ஊக்கத்தின் ஊக்கி
இடைக்கண் முரிந்தார் பலர்
Uṭaittam valiyaṟiyār ūkkattiṉ ūkki
Iṭaikkaṇ murintār palar
English translation
Many who did not know their own strength have been broken midway, having undertaken tasks with mere enthusiasm.
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Explanation
Enthusiasm without realistic assessment leads to failure. Many have started projects with great zeal but collapsed midway because they overestimated their capabilities. Self-knowledge prevents such humiliating defeats.
விளக்கம்
தன்னுடைய பலம் தெரியாம, ஆசையால மட்டும் ஒரு வேலைய செஞ்சா, பாதிலயே தோத்துடுவாங்க. "வலியறிதல்" அதிகாரத்துல, நம்ம சக்திய தெரிஞ்சுக்கிட்டு செயல்படணும்னு வள்ளுவர் சொல்றார். இது தோல்வியைத் தவிர்க்க உதவும்.
Word meanings
- உடைuṭaipossessing
- தம்tamtheir own
- வலிvalistrength
- அறியார்aṟiyārnot knowing
- ஊக்கத்தின்ūkkattiṉwith enthusiasm
- ஊக்கிūkkihaving begun
- இடைக்கண்iṭaikkaṇmidway
- முரிந்தார்murintārwere broken
- பலர்palarmany
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a vast forest, lived two woodcutters, Arun and Bala. Arun, full of youthful energy, boasted of his strength. He declared he would chop down the tallest tree in the forest in a single day. Bala, though quieter, possessed a keen understanding of his limits. He gently suggested they start with smaller trees first to build their skills and stamina. Arun, however, scoffed and, fueled by his pride, began hacking at the giant tree. He swung with all his might, sweat pouring down his face. By midday, exhausted and his axe dull, he had barely made a dent. Discouraged, he slumped against the tree. Bala, meanwhile, had felled several smaller trees, his movements precise and efficient. As the sun began to set, he offered Arun help, but Arun refused, defeated. He watched Bala effortlessly gather the wood he had prepared, understanding then the true meaning of strength.