62. Manly Effort

Chapter. 62. Manly Effort
Kural-611
Say not, 'Tis hard', in weak, desponding hour,
For strenuous effort gives prevailing power.
Meaning : Yield not to the feebleness which says, "this is too difficult to be done"; labour will give the greatness (of mind) which is necessary (to do it).
Kural-612
In action be thou, 'ware of act's defeat;
The world leaves those who work leave incomplete!
Meaning : Take care not to give up exertion in the midst of a work; the world will abandon those who abandon their unfinished work.
Kural-613
In strenuous effort doth reside
The power of helping others: noble pride!
Meaning : The lustre of munificence will dwell only with the dignity of laboriousness or efforts.
Kural-614
Beneficent intent in men by whom no strenuous work is wrought,
Like battle-axe in sexless being's hand availeth nought.
Meaning : The liberality of him, who does not labour, will fail, like the manliness of a hermaphrodite, who has a sword in its hand.
Kural-615
Whose heart delighteth not in pleasure, but in action finds delight,
He wipes away his kinsmen's grief and stands the pillar of their might.
Meaning : He who desires not pleasure, but desires labour, will be a pillar to sustain his relations, wiping away their sorrows.
Kural-616
Effort brings fortune's sure increase,
Its absence brings to nothingness.
Meaning : Labour will produce wealth; idleness will bring poverty.
Kural-617
In sluggishness is seen misfortune's lurid form, the wise declare;
Where man unslothful toils, she of the lotus flower is there!
Meaning : They say that the black Mudevi (the goddess of adversity) dwells with laziness, and the Latchmi (the goddess of prosperity) dwells with the labour of the industrious.
Kural-618
Tis no reproach unpropitious fate should ban;
But not to do man's work is foul disgrace to man!
Meaning : Adverse fate is no disgrace to any one; to be without exertion and without knowing what should be known, is disgrace.
Kural-619
Though fate-divine should make your labour vain;
Effort its labour's sure reward will gain.
Meaning : Although it be said that, through fate, it cannot be attained, yet labour, with bodily exertion, will yield its reward.
Kural-620
Who strive with undismayed, unfaltering mind,
At length shall leave opposing fate behind.
Meaning : They who labour on, without fear and without fainting will see even fate (put) behind their back.