The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 63
CHAPTER 63
INTREPIDITY IN THE FACE OF MISFORTUNE
621. When thou meetest with misfortune face it with thy best smile : for there is nothing like a smile to enable a man to hold his own against it.
622. A whole sea of troubles will abase themselves the moment a shifty mind collecteth itself to face them.
623. Troubles they send away troubled who trouble not themselves at the sight of troubles.
624. Behold the man who is prepared to strain his every nerve like the bull-buffalo to wade through every difficulty: he may meet with obstacles but he will send them away disappointed.
625. Behold the man whose heart sinketh not even at a whole host of troubles arrayed against him : the obstacles in his path have themselves met with an obstacle.
626. The men that exult not at good fortune, can they ever fret themselves saying, Alas! we are ruined ?
627. The wise know that the body is a target unto misfortune : and so they worry themselves not when they meet with a calamity.
628. Behold the man who loveth not pleasure and who knoweth that difficulties are a part of the law of things : he smarteth not ever under any check.
629. The man who runneth not after pleasure in the day of success suffereth not pain in the day of failure.
630. Behold the man who looketh upon the stress and strain of exertion as a veritable joy: he will be extolled by his very enemies.
HERE ENDETH SECTION i OF PART II
ENTITLED THE PRINCE