587. Growth through ambition

ஏறுவான் ஏறுதோ றும்புதிதாம் நிற்பவன்ஈறும் புதிதா யிலன்

eruvaan erudho rumbudhidhaam nirpavaneerum pudhidhaa yilan

For the climber, every climb is new; the one who stands still finds nothing new, even at the last.

588. Asking for earned rewards

நட்ட மரத்தின் நிழல்கேட்டல் குற்றமாபட்ட உழைப்பின் பயன்

natta marathin nizhalkettal kutramaapatta uzhaippin payan

Is it a fault to ask for the shade of the tree you planted? It is the fruit of the toil you endured.

589. Making hardship useful

எழுவான் இடரே இடமாக்கும் தூங்கும்இடமே இடராகும் மன்

ezhuvaan idare idamaakkum thoongumidame idaraakum man

Whoever rises makes ground of hardship itself; the very ground one sleeps on becomes hardship.

In Tamil, hardship (idar) and ground (idam) differ by a single sound. Sleeping here means lying idle, not needed rest.