375. Giving up too much

நிலைகுலைய நெஞ்சம் வணங்கல் அடிமரம்வெட்டிவிட்டுக் கொம்புக் கிறைப்பு

nilaikulaiya nenjam vanangal adimaramvettivittuk kombuk kiraippu

To bow your heart until your footing gives way is to cut a tree through at its base and then water a branch.

The trunk is what holds you up; the branch is what you go on tending once that is cut.

376. Small efforts persist

ஒருமுறைவீழ் பேரலையை யஞ்சா கருங்கல்தினம்வீழ் சிறுதுளிக்கே தேய்வு

orumuraiveezh peralaiyai yanjaa karungalthinamveezh sirudhulikke theyvu

The black stone does not fear the great wave that falls once; it wears away under the small drop that falls every day.

377. Flexibility has strength

தாழ்ந்து வளையும் வலைகடல் கொள்ளும்நேர்வீழ்ந்து முறியும் கழி

thaazhndu valaiyum valaikadal kollumnerveezhndu muriyum kazhi

The net sinks low and bends, and takes in the sea; the straight pole falls and breaks.

A fishing net works by sinking and sagging into the water, never standing against it.