The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 60
CHAPTER 60
ENERGY
591. Those that possess energy are alone to be called rich: as to those that possess it not, do they really possess what they own?
592. Energy is the veritable possession of a man : for wealth endureth not for ever and will depart from him one day.
593. Behold the men that hold in their hands the resource called energy : they will never despair, saying, Alas, we are ruined !
594. Behold the man who remitteth not ever from his activity : Good Fortune inquireth the way to his home.
595. The water with which a plant is watered is the measure of the luxuriance of its flower : even so, the spirit of a man is the measure of his fortunes.
596. Let all thy purposes be grand : for then even if they fail, their glory will tarnish never.
597. Men of spirit flinch not before a defeat: the elephant planteth his legs only more firmly when he is hit by the deep-piercing arrow.
598. Behold the men that are wanting in energy : the glory of an exhaustless liberality can never be theirs.
599. What availeth his size and his sharp tapering tusks? The heart of the elephant sinketh when he seeth the tiger spring.
600. Exuberance of spirit, that alone is strength: those that have it not are mere stocks : their human bodies alone make the difference.
