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.

378. Where strength lies

வலிகாட்டி வென்றான் எனவேண்டா வாழ்வில்வழிகொடுத்தான் அன்றோ வலி

valikaatti vendraan enavendaa vaazhvilvazhikoduthaan andro vali

Why call the one who showed his strength the winner? In life, is not the one who made way the strong one?

379. Yielding builds strength

முடங்காப் புதுநார் முறுக்கறியா தம்மமுடங்கி முறுக்காகும் நார்

mudangaap pudhunaar murukkariyaa thammamudangi murukkaakum naar

New fibre that will not bend never knows the twist; fibre that bends becomes the twist.

Plant fibres such as coir are twisted together into cord and rope. The Tamil word for ‘twist’ also means firmness, tautness.