Chapter 98: Greatness

Verse 972
Here we see nine vignettes of life experiences which determine the greatness or the meanest of a man. From top to bottom there is a student studying diligently, a man working hard in the field, a lazy fellow, a priest who is worshiping in the temple, a farmer tilling his rice fields, a thief breaking into another person’s home, scholar teaching his students, a father mediating an argument with his neighbors and, finally, a criminal who has been imprisoned.

TAKA Presents the Tirukural

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Weaver’s Wisdom

Verse 971

The aspiration for glorious achievement is the light of life.
Disgrace is the dark thought that says, “I can live without it.”

Verse 972

All men who live are alike at birth.
Diverse actions define their distinction and distinctiveness.

Verse 973

Lowly men are never high, even when elevated.
High souls are never low, even when downtrodden.

Verse 974

Like chastity in a woman, greatness is guarded
by being true to one’s own self.

Verse 975

A man possessing greatness possesses the power
to effectively perform uncommonly difficult deeds.

Verse 976

“We will befriend great men and become like them.”
Such thoughts seldom intrude upon small minds.

Verse 977

When small-minded men do achieve some distinction,
it only serves to augment their arrogance.

Verse 978

Greatness is always humbly self-effacing,
while pettiness adorns itself with words of praise.

Verse 979

Greatness abides in the absence of arrogance.
Smallness proudly parades its fulsome haughtiness.

Verse 980

Greatness conceals by silence the weaknesses of others.
Pettiness promptly proclaims such things to all.