PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அரசியல்
வலியறிதல்: The Knowledge of Power
About this chapter
வலியறிதல், the knowledge of power, is about knowing the limits of one's own strength before acting, whether in war, in business or in giving. The kurals address a ruler, but the advice is about proportion.
Kural 471 gives the formula: weigh the strength of the task, one's own strength, the opponent's and the allies' on both sides, then act. Kural 472 says there is nothing unattainable for those who know what is possible. Kural 473 and Kural 474 warn about the opposite: many have set out unaware of their weakness and broken down halfway, and the one who flatters himself and knows no limit quickly perishes. Kural 475 gives the best-known image: a cart loaded with nothing heavier than peacock feathers still breaks its axle if overloaded. Kural 476 pictures climbing past the tip of a branch. The last four kurals apply the principle to money. Giving should match one's means (Kural 477), and even a small income does no harm if spending stays below it (Kural 478). Kural 479 says that wealth lived on without measure vanishes while seeming to remain, and Kural 480 warns that generosity which ignores one's means soon ends the wealth that supports it.
Kural 471 is the key rule and Kural 478 the clearest on household or public budgets.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance and economic affairs, through its advice on matching spending to income.
The 10 kurals of வலியறிதல்
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
வினைவலியும் தன்வலியும் மாற்றான் வலியும்
துணைவலியும் தூக்கிச் செயல்.
Vinaivaliyum Thanvaliyum Maatraan Valiyum
Thunaivaliyum Thookkich Cheyal
The force the strife demands, the force he owns, the force of foes, The force of friends; these should he weigh ere to the war he goes
ஒல்வ தறிவது அறிந்ததன் கண்தங்கிச்
செல்வார்க்குச் செல்லாதது இல்.
Olva Tharivadhu Arindhadhan Kandhangich
Chelvaarkkuch Chellaadhadhu Il
Who know what can be wrought, with knowledge of the means, on this, Their mind firm set, go forth, nought goes with them amiss
உடைத்தம் வலியறியார் ஊக்கத்தின் ஊக்கி
இடைக்கண் முரிந்தார் பலர்.
Utaiththam Valiyariyaar Ookkaththin Ookki
Itaikkan Murindhaar Palar
Ill-deeming of their proper powers, have many monarchs striven, And midmost of unequal conflict fallen asunder riven
அமைந்தாங் கொழுகான் அளவறியான் தன்னை
வியந்தான் விரைந்து கெடும்.
Amaindhaang Kozhukaan Alavariyaan Thannai
Viyandhaan Viraindhu Ketum
Who not agrees with those around, no moderation knows, In self-applause indulging, swift to ruin goes
பீலிபெய் சாகாடும் அச்சிறும் அப்பண்டஞ்
சால மிகுத்துப் பெயின்.
Peelipey Saakaatum Achchirum Appantanjjch
Aala Mikuththup Peyin
With peacock feathers light, you load the wain; Yet, heaped too high, the axle snaps in twain
நுனிக்கொம்பர் ஏறினார் அஃதிறந் தூக்கின்
உயிர்க்கிறுதி ஆகி விடும்.
Nunikkompar Erinaar Aqdhiran Thookkin
Uyirkkirudhi Aaki Vitum
Who daring climbs, and would himself upraiseBeyond the branch's tip, with life the forfeit pays
ஆற்றின் அறவறிந்து ஈக அதுபொருள்
போற்றி வழங்கு நெறி.
Aatrin Aravarindhu Eeka Adhuporul
Potri Vazhangu Neri
With knowledge of the measure due, as virtue bids you give!That is the way to guard your wealth, and seemly live
ஆகாறு அளவிட்டி தாயினுங் கேடில்லை
போகாறு அகலாக் கடை.
Aakaaru Alavitti Thaayinung Ketillai
Pokaaru Akalaak Katai
Incomings may be scant; but yet, no failure there, If in expenditure you rightly learn to spare
அளவறிந்து வாழாதான் வாழ்க்கை உளபோல
இல்லாகித் தோன்றாக் கெடும்.
Alavara�ndhu Vaazhaadhaan Vaazhkkai Ulapola
Illaakith Thondraak Ketum
Who prosperous lives and of enjoyment knows no bound, His seeming wealth, departing, nowhere shall be found
உளவரை தூக்காத ஒப்புர வாண்மை
வளவரை வல்லைக் கெடும்.
Ulavarai Thookkaadha Oppura Vaanmai
Valavarai Vallaik Ketum
Beneficence that measures not its bound of means, Will swiftly bring to nought the wealth on which it leans
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