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.

590. Who supports success

படிக்கல்லே தாங்கும் படியேறு வாரின்அடிக்கல்லாம் ஏழையின் தோள்

padikkalle thaangum padiyeru vaarinadikkallaam ezhaiyin thol

The step-stone itself bears those who climb; the foundation stone beneath it is a poor person’s shoulder.