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.