Thirukkural Chapter 62 - Manly Effort

Couplet 611 
Say not, 'Tis hard', in weak, desponding hour,
For strenuous effort gives prevailing power
Explanation
Yield not to the feebleness which says, "this is too difficult to be done"; labour will give the greatness (of mind) which is necessary (to do it)

Couplet 612 
In action be thou, 'ware of act's defeat;
The world leaves those who work leave incomplete
Explanation
Take care not to give up exertion in the midst of a work; the world will abandon those who abandon their unfinished work

Couplet 613 
In strenuous effort doth reside
The power of helping others: noble pride
Explanation
The lustre of munificence will dwell only with the dignity of laboriousness or efforts

Couplet 614 
Beneficent intent in men by whom no strenuous work is wrought,
Like battle-axe in sexless being's hand availeth nought
Explanation
The liberality of him, who does not labour, will fail, like the manliness of a hermaphrodite, who has a sword in its hand

Couplet 615 
Whose heart delighteth not in pleasure, but in action finds delight,
He wipes away his kinsmen's grief and stands the pillar of their might
Explanation
He who desires not pleasure, but desires labour, will be a pillar to sustain his relations, wiping away their sorrows

Couplet 616 
Effort brings fortune's sure increase,
Its absence brings to nothingness
Explanation
Labour will produce wealth; idleness will bring poverty

Couplet 617 
In sluggishness is seen misfortune's lurid form, the wise declare;
Where man unslothful toils, she of the lotus flower is there
Explanation
They say that the black Mudevi (the goddess of adversity) dwells with laziness, and the Latchmi (the goddess of prosperity) dwells with the labour of the industrious

Couplet 618 
'Tis no reproach unpropitious fate should ban;
But not to do man's work is foul disgrace to man
Explanation
Adverse fate is no disgrace to any one; to be without exertion and without knowing what should be known, is disgrace

Couplet 619 
Though fate-divine should make your labour vain;
Effort its labour's sure reward will gain
Explanation
Although it be said that, through fate, it cannot be attained, yet labour, with bodily exertion, will yield its reward

Couplet 620 
Who strive with undismayed, unfaltering mind,
At length shall leave opposing fate behind
Explanation
They who labour on, without fear and without fainting will see even fate (put) behind their back