288. Strength without self-regard

கற்றூணின் வன்மை தனக்குத் தெரிவதோநிற்பதே தூணின் தவம்

katroonin vanmai thanakkudh therivadhonirpadhe thoonin thavam

Does a stone pillar know its own strength? Standing itself is the pillar’s discipline.

The Tamil word is tavam: a long, self-denying discipline kept up through patient endurance.

289. Others depend on steadiness

அம்மியின் கீழ்க்கல் அசையா திருந்தால்தான்மேற்கல் அரைக்கும் பொருள்

ammiyin keezhkkal asaiyaa thirundaalthaanmerkal araikkum porul

Only if the lower stone stays unmoving does the upper stone grind what lies between.

An ammi is a flat stone slab on which a hand-held stone roller grinds spices and lentils.