Thirukkural Chapter 63 - Hopefulness in Trouble

Couplet 621 
Smile, with patient, hopeful heart, in troublous hour;
Meet and so vanquish grief; nothing hath equal power
Explanation
If troubles come, laugh; there is nothing like that, to press upon and drive away sorrow

Couplet 622 
Though sorrow, like a flood, comes rolling on,
When wise men's mind regards it,- it is gone
Explanation
A flood of troubles will be overcome by the (courageous) thought which the minds of the wise will entertain, even in sorrow

Couplet 623 
Who griefs confront with meek, ungrieving heart,
From them griefs, put to grief, depart
Explanation
They give sorrow to sorrow, who in sorrow do not suffer sorrow

Couplet 624 
Like bullock struggle on through each obstructed way;
From such an one will troubles, troubled, roll away
Explanation
Troubles will vanish (i.e., will be troubled) before the man who (struggles against difficulties) as a

Couplet 625 
When griefs press on, but fail to crush the patient heart,
Then griefs defeated, put to grief, depart
Explanation
The troubles of that man will be troubled (and disappear) who, however thickly they may come upon him, does not abandon (his purpose)

Couplet 626 
Who boasted not of wealth, nor gave it all their heart,
Will not bemoan the loss, when prosperous days depart
Explanation
Will those men ever cry out in sorrow, "we are destitute" who, (in their prosperity), give not way to (undue desire) to keep their wealth

Couplet 627 
'Man's frame is sorrow's target', the noble mind reflects,
Nor meets with troubled mind the sorrows it expects
Explanation
The great will not regard trouble as trouble, knowing that the body is the butt of trouble

Couplet 628 
He seeks not joy, to sorrow man is born, he knows;
Such man will walk unharmed by touch of human woes
Explanation
That man never experiences sorrow, who does not seek for pleasure, and who considers distress to be natural (to man)

Couplet 629 
Mid joys he yields not heart to joys' control
Mid sorrows, sorrow cannot touch his soul
Explanation
He does not suffer sorrow, in sorrow who does not look for pleasure in pleasure

Couplet 630 
Who pain as pleasure takes, he shall acquire
The bliss to which his foes in vain aspire
Explanation
The elevation, which even his enemies will esteem, will be gained by him, who regards pain as pleasure