Tirukkural Chapter 98 - Couplets 1,2,3 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 98 - பெருமை
CHAPTER 98 - GREATNESS.
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98/01. ஒளிஒருவற்கு உள்ள வெறுக்கை; இனிஒருவற்கு
அஃதிறந்து வாழ்தும் எனல்.

98/01. Ollioruvarkku ulla verrukkai; inioruvarku
Akkthirandhu vaazhthum enal.

98/01. One's faith in his skill is praiseworthy,
but if he tries to depend on it beyond certain limits,
then it is a mistake.
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Chandra: One must depend upon his skill
Up to a certain limit only.

Kamini: Yes, one can think up to a limit.
Beyond that, his mind will not act.
If a costly work requires more skills,
Better involve other thinkers.

If more thinkers join him
All can work like a team.
The combined skill will
Make it progress well.

The cost may even come down
If a team sit and examine
Several alternative ways
Thus reducing working days.
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98/02. பிறப்பொக்கும் எல்லா உயிர்க்கும்; சிறப்பொவ்வா
செய்தொழில் வேற்றுமை யான்.

98/02. Pirrapokkum ellaa uyirkkum; sirrappovvaa
Seithozhil vetrrumai yaan.

98/02. All men are born in the same way.
But their skills in doing their works vary.
So their greatness differs among them.
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Chandra: It is not one's birth that counts.
It is the type of skill that makes one great.

Kamini: One may be a scientist.
Another may be a cartoonist.
In his field, each one is great,
It is one's skill that is important.

The greatness is measured,
According to a scale laid,
That is universally accepted,
Given to a winner as an award.

For instance, in several sports
Awards of different medals,
Like bronze, silver, and gold,
The level of skill is decided.
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98/03. மேலிருந்தும் மேலல்லார் மேலல்லர்; கீழிருந்தும்
கீழல்லார் கீழல் லவர்.

98/03. Melirundhu melallaar melalar; keezhirundhu
Keezhallaar keezhal lavar.

98/03. If one is in a high position, but not having broad mind
they will not become great. If one is in a low position, but not having narrow mind they will not become low
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Chandra: So, greatness depends upon one's mind
As the poet in this Kural says.

Kamini: Mind is given more importance,
As, like a mini factory, it works,
It thinks deeply, issues orders
And execute those orders,

From man to man, mind differs,
So, each one's skill also varies.
A manager may not have skill
That of an artisan's skill.

A manager may have skill
In his field of management,
While an artisan has skill
In making a good product.
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