 |
|---|
 |
The Holy Kural
Written over two millenia ago by Saint Tiruvalluvar,
translated under the guidance of Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Greatness |
|---|
|
|---|
Verse 971
Life's light is the aspiration for glorious achievement.
And disgrace is the dark thought that says, "I shall live without it."
Verse 972
Birth decrees to all men who live a common circumstance.
Diverse actions define their unique specialness.
Verse 973
Lowly men are never high, even when elevated.
High souls are never low, even when downtrodden.
Verse 974
Even as chastity in a woman, greatness must be guarded
By being true to one's own self.
Verse 975
A man possessing greatness possesses the power
To perform uncommon deeds.
Verse 976
"We will befriend great men and become like them,"
Such thoughts rarely 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 humble. But pettiness
is self-adorned with words of praise.
Verse 979
Greatness abides in the absence of arrogance.
Smallness proudly parades its haughtiness.
Verse 980
Greatness conceals through silence the weaknesses of others.
But pettiness proclaims such things to all.
[Index]
[Prev]
[Next]
|
|
|---|
|
The Holy Kural
Written over two millenia ago by Saint Tiruvalluvar,
translated under the guidance of Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Greatness |
|---|
|
|---|
