47.1 Action After Deliberation

 47.1 Action After Deliberation

Question:

Is planning essential before action?

Answer:

Before venturing into action, consider the pros and cons and

the net benefit.                                                                                            (Couplet - 461)

             Nothing is too difficult to attain for those who consult with

             knowledgeable people before venturing into action.                          (Couplet - 462)

Wise men will not, for the sake of anticipated profit,

undertake a project that may consume their principal itself.             (Couplet – 463)

             Those who fear disgrace will not venture anything without having

             a clear goal in mind.                                                                                    (Couplet - 464)

             To fight against the enemies without well-thought plans will only

             strengthen the enemy.                                                                               (Couplet - 465)

 

அழிவதூஉம் ஆவதூஉம் ஆகி வழிபயக்கும்

ஊதியமும் சூழ்ந்து செயல்.                                                          (குறள் – 461)

தெரிந்த இனத்தொடு தேர்ந்தெண்ணிச் செய்வார்க்கு

அரும்பொருள் யாதொன்றும் இல்.                                              (குறள் – 462)

ஆக்கம் கருதி முதலிழக்கும் செய்வினை

ஊக்கார் அறிவுடை யார்.                                                            (குறள் – 463)

தெளிவி லதனைத் தொடங்கார் இளிவென்னும்

ஏதப்பாடு அஞ்சு பவர்.                                                                (குறள் – 464)

வகையறச் சூழா தெழுதல் பகைவரைப்

பாத்திப் படுப்பதோர் ஆறு.                                                         (குறள் – 465)

Explanataion:

Valluvar strongly believes that planning is essential before venturing into action. In Couplets 461 through 465, Valluvar emphasizes the importance of planning. Valluvar’s advice on the importance of planning applies to any project like a war, starting a new business, or expanding an existing business.

Planning is an essential function of management. According to Koontz and O’Donnell, authors of the popular textbook, Principles Of Management, An Analysis Of Managerial Functions, “Planning is deciding in advance - what to do, when to do and how to do. It bridges the gap between where we are and where we want to be.” Planning deals with deciding on a future course of action for achieving the pre-determined goals. Planning is necessary to ensure that the resources are appropriately utilized. Planning is an intellectual activity that helps to coordinate all aspects of a project.

Throughout history, there are many examples of business enterprises and military ventures ending in failures due to a lack of proper planning. In the United States, more than 500,000 small businesses are started each month. According to the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, only about 50% of these businesses survive their fifth anniversary, and only one-third celebrate their 10^th anniversary. Among the many reasons for the failure of small businesses, it is said that lack of proper planning is the chief among them. As Valluvar points out in Couplet 463 and 464, wise men who fear the disgrace of failure will not enter into businesses without due deliberations before starting a business.

 

 As Valluvar states in Couplet 464, businesses that are well managed do not rush into projects without a clear goal. The leaders of successful businesses consult with their staff and other consultants and thoroughly analyze the pros and cons and the net benefit as stated by Valluvar on Couplet 461. This type of analysis is known as Feasibility Study. Again, as Valluvar says in Couplet 462, nothing is too difficult to accomplish for those who consult with the right people and plan carefully, considering the potential benefits and losses and the resulting benefit.

 

Failure to have adequate planning has also led to major defeats in battles. For example, due to lack of proper planning, Napoleon suffered a major setback when he invaded Russia in 1812. He did not expect that the Russians would burn everything on their way when they retreated. When Napoleon’s army reached Moscow, Moscow was burning. Napoleon’s army ran out of supplies, and they were ill-equipped to face the severe cold Russian winter. Napoleon’s army had to retreat. While Napoleon’s army was retreating, the Russian troops attacked them. Napoleon lost more than 500,000 warriors. Another example of an ill-conceived plan that led to shameful defeat occurred during the Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba by the Cuban exiles in 1961 to overthrow the Fidel Castro regime. When the Cuban exiles reached the Bay of Pigs, they were vastly outnumbered by the Cuban army, and the air support from the USA did not come to aid the exiles as expected. As Valluvar mentions in Couplet 465, those who do not plan before action help the enemy to succeed.

 

47.2 Action After Deliberation

 47.2 Action After Deliberation

Question:

What should be the primary focus during the execution phase of a project?

 

Answer:

 

The project will be ruined if you do things that ought not to be

done or you do not do things that ought to be done.                   (Couplet – 466)

 

Things that may be done at leisure can be implemented slowly

and deliberately. But things requiring immediate attention

should not be delayed at all.                                                               (Couplet – 672)

 

செய்தக்க அல்ல செயக் கெடும் செய்தக்க

செய்யாமை யானுங் கெடும்.                                                  (குறள் – 466)

தூங்குக தூங்கிச் செயற்பால தூங்கற்க

தூங்காது செய்யும் வினை.                                                    (குறள் – 672)

 

Explanation:

In any project of considerable complexity, there will be several tasks. These tasks may vary in their relative importance. Valluvar believes that a project will be unsuccessful if the essential tasks are not accomplished. He also adds that the project will end up as a failure if the irrelevant, unnecessary, and unimportant tasks are completed.

 

In addition, to focusing on the essential tasks, one should also prioritize the tasks. The tasks of a project may be dependent on each other. In order to succeed in a project, during the organizing phase, all the tasks relevant to the project must be carefully analyzed and prioritized based on their dependency, importance, and urgency. These days, project planners use sophisticated software to analyze the task dependencies and the resources required to complete the tasks and schedule them in the proper order based on their importance, dependencies, and urgency.

The concept of prioritizing tasks is essential and applicable in our day-to-day lives too. There is a simple method for prioritizing the tasks known as the Eisenhower Principle, named after the US president, General Dwight Eisenhower. According to this principle, the tasks should be prioritized as follows: The important and urgent tasks must be done first. Tasks that are important but not urgent should be handled next. Tasks that are not important but urgent would belong to the next category of tasks to be performed. Lastly, tasks that are neither important nor urgent should be postponed, avoided, or delegated to other people, if possible. Stephen Covey, the American educator, author, businessman, refers to this type of prioritization as  “Habit three – Put first things first” in his famous book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Couplet 672 conveys the same idea as the Eisenhower Principle and Steven Covey’s Third Habit.

47.3 Action After Deliberation

 47.3 Action After Deliberation

Question:

When should one begin action on a project?

 

Answer:

             Actions should follow analytic decisions resulting from deep deliberations.

It is a disgrace to commence actions before such deliberations.             (Couplet - 467)

Any endeavor without a proper plan will fail even if many people

support it.                                                                                                     (Couplet - 468)

எண்ணித் துணிக கருமம் துணிந்தபின்

எண்ணுவம் என்பது இழுக்கு.                                                      (குறள் – 467)

ஆற்றின் வருந்தா வருத்தம் பலர்நின்று

போற்றினும் பொத்துப் படும்.                                                      (குறள் – 468)

Explanation:

It is said that “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Valluvar agrees with this dictum. It is wise to consider all aspects of the project at hand and plan every detail with the help of all available expertise. According to Valluvar, one should not begin any action without a well-thought-out plan. If a project is started without a proper plan, it may take more resources and time to complete. It is quite possible that such a project cannot even be completed. So, it is really a disgrace to start a project without a proper plan.

Too often, countries enter into wars out of an impulse without having the end goal and a detailed plan for achieving that goal. For example, in recent decades, the US presidents have launched unsuccessful wars against Korea, Viet Nam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In these wars, the US had the support of its allies. Despite their support, the US did not win any of these wars. This confirms Valluvar’s statement in Couplet 468.

 

47.4 Action After Deliberation

 47.4 Action After Deliberation

Question:

Is it possible that a good deed may go wrong?

Answer:

Even a good deed may go wrong if it is done without considering

the nature and disposition of the beneficiaries.                                   (Couplet – 469)

நன்றாற்ற லுள்ளுந் தவுறுண்டு அவரவர்

பண்பறிந் தாற்றாக் கடை.                                                           (குறள் – 469)

Explanation:

             It is quite possible that a good deed may go wrong if it is done without considering the nature and disposition of the beneficiaries. For example, during the recent outbreak of COVID – 19, the US government mandated that everyone wear a face mask so that they would not get infected. If they were infected, they would not transmit the virus to others. Theoretically, it is a good idea from the public health point of view.  The Government mandated that everyone should wear masks and ordered that people who did not wear masks would be fired from their jobs. The government failed to recognize the attitude of the people. Generally, people in the US are very liberal and freedom-loving. So, they protested against the mandate of wearing and considered it an imposition. On the other hand, if the US government had explained the benefit to the people and left wearing masks voluntary, most of them would have had no problem wearing the masks. 

46.1 Avoiding the Mean Company

 46.1 Avoiding the Mean Company

Question:

What happens when we associate with mean people?

Answer:

Water changes its nature according to the nature of

the soil through which it flows; similarly, men’s

character changes with their associations.                    (Couplet – 452)

நிலத்தியல்பால் நீர்திரிந் தற்றாகும் மாந்தர்க்கு

இனத்தியல்ப தாகும் அறிவு.                                             (குறள் – 452)

 

Explanation:

Water acquires the color and taste of the land through which it flows. For example, when water flows through red soil, it acquires the red color. When the water flows through salty soil, it becomes salty. So also, when people associate with other people who are mean, they tend to behave like them. For example, we see youngsters become easily influenced by those with whom they associate. We see many youngsters start smoking, using drugs, and drinking alcohol after they start moving with others who have those habits. Valluvar’s advice that one should stay away from mean people is a bit of practical and sound advice to everyone, including the leaders.  

45.1 Securing the Friendship of Great Men

 45.1 Securing the Friendship of Great Men

Question:

What kind of counselors a king (leader)  should choose?

Answer:

A king (leader) should ponder well its value and secure

the friendship of men of virtue and mature knowledge.            (Couplet – 441)

அறனறிந்து மூத்த அறிவுடையார் கேண்மை

திறனறிந்து தேர்ந்து கொளல்.                                                     (குறள் – 441)

 

Explanation:

       According to Valluvar, a king (leader) should choose ethically oriented wise people as his counselors. History has several examples of kings who have selected virtuous and wise people as their counselors. Akbar the Great ascended the throne of the Mogul empire of India at the young age of thirteen.   But he had an extraordinary group of nine distinguished men who served him as his counselors, and with their help, he could rule his empire very successfully. Other examples of great emperors who came to power and depended on their advisors would include Peter the Great of Russia, Queen Elizabeth I of England, Alexander the Great of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon, and so on. The Tamil classic, Puranaanuuru mentions that the king Athiyamaan Nedumaan Anji had Avvaiyaar as his poet laureate, advisor, and ambassador. Also, king Paari had the famous poet Kabilar as his confidante. These advisors have been of immense help to their kings.

 

In modern-day democracies, ministers and various other advisors keep their leaders well informed with up-to-date information and intelligence and offer them timely advice. So, Valluvar recognizes the vital role of wise counselors by acknowledging their importance. 

45.2 Securing the Friendship of Great Men

 45.2 Securing the Friendship of Great Men

Question:

Why should a leader have counselors to advise him?

 

Answer:

Who is there strong enough to destroy the king who has

counselors who would reprove him when he errs?                       (Couplet- 447)

A king without the help of courageous counselors who can rebuke

him will destroy himself even if there is no enemy to destroy him.        (Couplet - 448)

 

             இடிக்குந் துணையாரை யாள்வரை யாரே

கெடுக்குந் தகைமை யவர்.                                                           (குறள் – 447)

இடிப்பாரை இல்லாத ஏமரா மன்னன்

கெடுப்பா ரிலானுங் கெடும்.                                                        (குறள் – 448)

 

 

According to Valluvar, a king (or a leader) who has counselors who can reprove him when he makes a mistake will be benefitted from their advice. The advice of the counselors will help the king (leader) to make the right decision. Therefore, a king with courageous counselors cannot be destroyed by his enemies.

It is unusual for a king to encounter direct criticism. Kings and leaders are usually surrounded by sycophants who shower false praises and rarely offer any criticism. But listening to the sycophants and ignoring those who dare to criticize is detrimental to a king or a leader. Valluvar considers that it is very important for a king to listen to his advisors who are bold enough to offer bitter criticism. According to Valluvar, a king without courageous counselors who can criticize him will destroy himself even if there is no enemy to destroy him.

Of course, it is not enough to have counselors who can offer criticism. The king should listen to their criticism, however harsh and bitter it is and analyze the merits of such criticism and follow their advice whenever they deserve consideration. 

 

In the modern era, in the democratic forms of governments, the role of the opposition party is to offer meaningful criticism to the rulers. In the corporate environment, the Board of directors and the shareholders have the right to criticize the CEO. So, Valluvar’s idea regarding listening to bitter criticism has now become a routine practice in the organizations of the present era. Of course, it is an entirely different matter whether such criticisms are being accepted and acted upon by those who are in power.

 

44.1 Avoiding Faults

 44.1 Avoiding Faults

Question:

What happens to someone who does not guard himself against unforeseen problems?

Answer:

The life of a man who does not guard himself against

untoward developments will perish like a haystack before

an advancing fire.                                                                       (Couplet – 435)

வருமுன்னர்க் காவாதான் வாழ்க்கை எரிமுன்னர்

வைத்தூறு போலக் கெடும்.                                                         (குறள் – 435)

 

Explanation:

Valluvar warns that the life of a man who does not protect himself against unforeseen problems will perish like a haystack before an advancing fire. Valluvar does not explicitly say what the unexpected problems are. The omission of the nature of the problem is perhaps deliberate on the part of Valluvar. Anticipating future problems and preparing contingency plans to protect against them is the solution for almost any future problem. For example, we can protect against many diseases by taking preventive measures.   By preparing proper plans for a war, a king has a good chance of winning the war. By studying for the tests ahead of time, a student has a good chance of success. One can avoid significant expenses by taking insurance for life, accident, disability, home, automobile, and health. So, preparation in advance will definitely help to avert impending problems. So, Valluvar’s advice is applicable to many situations. This is a multipurpose couplet.

44.2 Avoiding Faults

 44.2 Avoiding Faults

Question:

What to do before correcting others’ faults?

 

Answer:

Who can find fault with a king, who corrects his own faults before

identifying others’ faults?                                                                          (Couplet – 436)

தன்குற்றம் நீக்கிப் பிறர்குற்றங் காண்கிற்பின்

என்குற்ற மாகும் இறைக்கு?                                                        (குறள் – 436)

Explanation:

Valluvar says that a king should correct his own faults before pointing and correcting others’ faults. Although the kural mentions the king, it is applicable to others also. A king (leader) should be a role model for his citizens(followers). The parents are expected to be role models for their children. Teachers are expected to be role models for their students. In general, elders are considered role models for youngsters. Those who are supposed to be role models often find faults with others before realizing or correcting their own shortcomings. If they do that, others are going to ignore their advice. So, those who are role models must correct their faults before trying to correct others.

43.1 Wisdom

 43.1 Wisdom

Question:

What is wisdom?

Answer:

Wisdom restrains the wayward mind and leads it away

from the evil to good.                                                       (Couplet – 422)

 

சென்ற இடத்தால் செலவிடா தீதொரீஇ

நன்றின்பால் உய்ப்ப தறிவு.                                 (குறள் – 422)

Explanation:

          In day-to-day conversations, people frequently use the terms ‘learning’, ‘understanding’, ‘knowledge’, ‘intelligence’, and ‘wisdom’. Although people intuitively know the meanings of these terms, they ignore the proper definitions of these terms. Of these terms, ‘learning’ and ‘understanding’ are often used interchangeably. So also, the terms ‘knowledge’ and ‘wisdom’ are often used interchangeably. These terms are difficult to define. Their meanings and definitions may depend upon the context in which they are used. These terms can be described as follows:

Learning can be defined as acquiring knowledge or skills through formal education, self-study, listening to others, or experience. Understanding is to comprehend the intended meaning of what is being learnt.

Although learning is necessary to gain knowledge, it is not sufficient for gaining knowledge. For the learning to be useful, it should be accompanied by a thorough understanding of what has been learnt. For example, schoolchildren learn multiplication by memorizing the ‘times table’. But the fact that they know that 8x7 = 56 does not help them to compute the product of two larger numbers like 1248 times 7865. This is because they have not understood the underlying principle of multiplication. It is not uncommon for students to memorize their lessons in order to regurgitate them in their examinations. Such learning is of limited use to attain real knowledge or for applying what has been learned.

Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and information such that it is meant to be useful. Knowledge is generally gained from learning through formal education, by listening to others, by reading books and other materials, and also from experience. Intelligence can be generally described as the ability to perceive information and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviors within an environment or context. Wisdom is the ability to make good judgments based on one’s knowledge, experience, and understanding.

Just like the difference between learning and understanding, there is a vast difference between knowledge and wisdom. To illustrate the difference between knowledge and wisdom, the British journalist Miles Kington said in a humorous way, “It is knowledge to know that tomato is a fruit. But it is wisdom not to use it in a fruit salad.’  There can be no wisdom without knowledge. But it is not uncommon for people to have knowledge without wisdom.

 

 

 

43.2 Wisdom

 43.2 Wisdom

Question:

What is the difference between those who are wise and those who are not?

Answer:

The wise are those who can foresee what will happen,

those who do not this are unwise.                                             (Couplet – 427)

It is foolish not to fear what is to be feared; it wise to

 fear what is to be feared.                                                             (Couplet – 428)

There is no terrifying shock to the wise who have the foresight

to guard themselves against the coming evil.                          (Couplet – 429)

 

அறிவுடையார் ஆவ தறிவார் அறிவிலார்

அஃதறி கல்லா தவர்.                                                        (குறள் – 427)

அஞ்சுவ தஞ்சாமை பேதைமை அஞ்சுவது

அஞ்சல் அறிவார் தொழில்.                                              (குறள் – 428)

எதிரதாக் காக்கும் அறிவினார்க் கில்லை

அதிர வருவதோர் நோய்.                                                  (குறள் – 429)

Explanation:

Wisdom is the combination of intelligence, experience, and knowledge. A man of wisdom will be smart enough to plan ahead and be ready to encounter any situation. Because of his planning and forethought, he will be aware of what could happen in the future and be prepared for any eventuality. In a chess game, a master player exhibits his superior knowledge and experience by planning several moves ahead and anticipating the possible moves of his opponent as well. A wise man behaves in the same manner.

Men of wisdom will be smart to know what type of undertaking will be successful. They will not venture into risky undertakings in business and lose their capital. They know their strengths and limitations and will not engage themselves in a losing battle. In general, they know the things that they should guard against and will act accordingly, whereas those who lack wisdom, will rush into things and meet with failure.