Kural #662
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Tamil text
ஊறொரால் உற்றபின் ஒல்காமை
இவ்விரண்டின் ஆறென்பர் ஆய்ந்தவர் கோள்
Ūṟorāl uṟṟapiṉ olkāmai
Ivviraṇṭiṉ āṟeṉpar āyntavar kōḷ
English translation
The path, say the wise, consists of two things: anticipating obstacles and not wavering when they occur.
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Explanation
Two elements define the wise path: ஊறு ஓரால் (foreseeing problems) and உற்றபின் ஒல்காமை (not flinching when they arrive). Preparation and perseverance together ensure success.
விளக்கம்
வினைத்திட்பம் அதிகாரத்தில் வரும் இக்குறள், ஒரு செயலைச் செய்யும்போது வரும் தடைகளை முன்னரே அறிந்து கொள்வதும், வந்தபின் தளராமல் உறுதியாக நிற்பதும் சிறந்த வழி என்கிறது. இப்படிச் செய்தால் வெற்றி நிச்சயம். இதுவே அறிவார்ந்த செயல்.
Word meanings
- ஊறுūṟuobstacle/harm
- ஓரால்ōrālforeseeing/considering
- உற்றபின்uṟṟapiṉafter encountering
- ஒல்காமைolkāmainot wavering
- இவ்விரண்டின்ivviraṇṭiṉof these two
- ஆறுāṟupath/way
- என்பர்eṉparthey say
- ஆய்ந்தவர்āyntavarthe wise/those who examined
- கோள்kōḷprinciple
Story behind this kural
The village elder, Thiru, decided to build a well. He knew the rocky terrain held challenges. First, he consulted the village diviner, studying the land, predicting the hardness of the rock and the potential for underground springs. He gathered the strongest men, stockpiled tools, and prepared for delays. As they dug, they struck a massive boulder. The workers despaired, suggesting they abandon the project. Thiru, however, had foreseen such obstacles. He brought in more laborers, devised a plan to break the stone, and worked tirelessly alongside them. Days turned into weeks. Finally, they chipped away at the stubborn rock. At last, water gushed forth, clear and abundant. The village rejoiced. The other villagers, who had mocked Thiru's initial preparations, now sought his wisdom. They learned that the true measure of a man wasn't just in his ambition, but in his foresight and his unwavering spirit when facing adversity.