The Efforts [from 'proverbs 400' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

149. We ourselves are the doctors for our health
Don't search a prop from the crowd to get support.
Nothing will the bolsters do.
How can one's pain another relieve?

150. O, chief of the coast where the roaring waves
deluge! One who performs an act proposed
with little learning is the wise man; may be
young in years but praised as matured.

151. Life of the lazy who strains not won't improve.
Never say never to the strangers in want.
Be a good host of the new guests. In wielding
the swords in wars, show your manliness.

152. Don't give the cause that you have little of
something to do an act out of lethargy.
It will be a giant crime. The lazy lives
not a day, if he yields not and gets back things.


153. Don't be dull thinking that you're alone without
support. Try your best. Attempts with interest
help one achieve things aimed. Be not a prey
to hatred. Be involved in your efforts.

154. The wise ponder their skills, of the props
and the results before doing an act.
Getting involved in impossible deeds
not knowing the methods will bring bad ends.

155. Anger of the well-built Chozha ruined the town
of the demons in the sky to save the gods.
Try to do an act at the opportune time.
No shield stops the arrow shot by the pulled string.

156. Thinking, you have neither money nor the kin,
don't do inglorious deeds. Wherever born
one who has a long forehand will have
a well-built, big strong arms.

157. Desiring a huge wealth to live on this earth,
not depending on a good king to stay long,
if one rolls, meets many but stays nowhere
is the crow sitting on a wooden pestle.

158. Being lazy, not doing the act assumed
and leaving it to one who has no grit,
if you wander with pride, it annuls itself
and shows you the goddess of penury.

159. O, chief of the hills with leaping flooded streams!
Do an act yourself. Don't be lazy. An act
can't be done by another. Will one who fears
to bathe in hot water leap into fire?

160. You think, when God created the world, He made
also your troubles. Prayers to Him alone
won't remove your ills.One who writes the palm-leaf
with mistakes doesn't mend it but smash it.
161. Make no efforts after an act is done.
No resilience for an act broken half-way.
No grief for an act done faultlessly. No name
for a thing that lives not in the world.