236. Strength over oneself

வலிகொண்டு வீழ்த்துவான் வல்லனோ தன்னைவலிகொண்டு நிற்பான் வலி

valikondu veezhthuvaan vallano thannaivalikondu nirpaan vali

Is he strong who throws others down by strength? He who takes hold of himself by strength and stands: he is strength.

237. Resisting the easy way

ஆற்றின் திசைமாற்றல் ஆற்றுவான் ஆற்றலேஆற்றோடு போதல் எளிது

aatrin thisaimaatral aatruvaan aatraleaatrodu podhal elidhu

To turn a river from its course is the strength of one who can; to go with the river is easy.

238. Brave elsewhere, afraid here

ஓங்கு திரைநீந்தி யாழ்கடந்தான் தன்மனையுள்தேங்கும் மொழிக்கஞ்சு வான்

ongu thiraineendi yaazhkadandaan thanmanaiyulthengum mozhikkanju vaan

He swam the towering waves and crossed the deep; in his own house he fears a word that hangs in the air.

In Tamil the word lies pooled like still water: a word he has never dared say there, or talk once spoken there that hangs on.