Tirukural/Chapter 54
531
'Tis greater ill, it rapture of o'erweening gladness to the soul
Bring self-forgetfulness than if transcendent wrath control.
More evil than excessive anger, is forgetfulness which springs from the intoxication of great joy.
532
Perpetual, poverty is death to wisdom of the wise;
When man forgets himself his glory dies!
Forgetfulness will destroy fame, even as constant poverty destroys knowledge.
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'To self-oblivious men no praise'; this rule
Decisive wisdom sums of every school.
Thoughtlessness will never acquire fame; and this tenet is upheld by all treatises in the world.
534
'To cowards is no fort's defence'; e'en so
The self-oblivious men no blessing know.
Just as the coward has no defence (by whatever fortifications ha may be surrounded), so the thoughtless has no good (whatever advantages he may possess).
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To him who nought foresees, recks not of anything,
The after woe shall sure repentance bring.
The thoughtless man, who provides not against the calamities that may happen, will afterwards repent for his fault.
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Towards all unswerving, ever watchfulness of soul retain,
Where this is found there is no greater gain.
There is nothing comparable with the possession of unfailing thoughtfulness at all times; and towards all persons.
537
Though things are arduous deemed, there's nought may not be won,
When work with mind's unslumbering energy and thought is done.
There is nothing too difficult to be accomplished, if a man set about it carefully, with unflinching endeavour.
538
Let things that merit praise thy watchful soul employ;
Who these despise attain through sevenfold births no joy.
Let (a man) observe and do these things which have been praised (by the wise); if he neglects and fails to perform them, for him there will be no (happiness) throughout the seven births.
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Think on the men whom scornful mind hath brought to nought,
When exultation overwhelms thy wildered thought.
Let (a king) think of those who have been ruined by neglect, when his mind is elated with joy.
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'Tis easy what thou hast in mind to gain,
If what thou hast in mind thy mind retain.
It is easy for (one) to obtain whatever he may think of, if he can again think of it.