67.3 Firmness of Action

 67.3 Firmness of Action

 

Question:

Which is easy? To say what to do or to do what is said?

Answer:

It is easy for anyone to say what to do, but it is far

more difficult to do what is said.                                      (Couplet – 664)

சொல்லுதல் யார்க்கும் எளிய அரியவாம்

சொல்லிய வண்ணம் செயல்.                              (குறள் – 664)

Explanation:

              It is indeed easy for anyone to say what to do or what he is going to do. But it is far more difficult to do what has been said. When we observe the behavior of politicians, we see that Valluvar’s observation of human behavior is absolutely correct. In order to get elected, many politicians promise a lot of things to the voters. But once elected, they fail to fulfill most of their promises. Generally, it does not require much effort to say something. Doing something requires physical exertion and may even need financial and other resources. Furthermore, when doing an act, one may encounter difficulties, and one should pursue the action with great determination. Many people may not have the necessary integrity and tenacity needed to do what they say.