250. Staying by choice

போகின்ற வாயிலில் நிற்றலே நிற்றலாம்போகாத வாயில் சிறை

pokindra vaayilil nitrale nitralaampokaadha vaayil sirai

Standing at a door that leads out: that alone is standing. A door that does not lead out: a prison.

251. Strength held back

வாளுடையான் வாளடக்கி வாழ்வான் அவன்வாளேவாளா கிடக்கும் வலி

vaaludaiyaan vaaladakki vaazhvaan avanvaalevaalaa kidakkum vali

He who has a sword lives with his sword held back; that sword, lying idle, is his strength.

252. Knowing when to stop

வெட்டிய கல்மேல் வழுவறிவார் வெட்டாமல்விட்ட இடமறிவான் கை

vettiya kalmel vazhuvarivaar vettaamalvitta idamarivaan kai

Many know the flaw on the stone that was cut; one knows the place left uncut, and the hand is his.

A cut in stone cannot be undone. In Tamil, ‘hand’ also means skill: the work a hand does.