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.

239. Speaking amid silence

பலரிருக்க யாருமோர் சொல்லாத நேரம்ஒருத்திசொல் கல்லாய் விழும்

palarirukka yaarumor sollaadha neramoruthisol kallaai vizhum

Many are gathered, and no one says a word; one woman’s word drops into that silence like a stone.