98.2 Greatness

 98.2 Greatness

 

Question:

What is the criterion for judging a person as great?

Answer:

A person placed high by virtue of the class in which he was

born may not be really great. So also, a person placed low by

 virtue of the class in which he was born may not be really low.      (Couplet – 973)

Men obtain greatness from the propriety of conduct. The

 impropriety of conduct results in untold disgrace.                           (Couplet – 137)

 

 

மேலிருந்தும் மேலல்லார் மேலல்லர் கீழிருந்தும்

கீழல்லார் கீழல் லவர்.                                                                          (குறள் – 973)

ஒழுக்கத்தின் எய்துவர் மேன்மை இழுக்கத்தின்

எய்துவர் எய்தாப் பழி.                                                                         (குறள் – 137)

 

Explanation:

            In Couplet 972, Valluvar categorically says that all are equal by birth. So, it is clear that Valluvar rejects the hierarchical class structure proposed in the Vedas. In couplet 973, Valluvar says that people regarded as great by virtue of the class in which they were born may not be really great, and those regarded low by birth may not be really low. But then, is there a criterion by which one is considered great or not so great? Yes, there is. The test for judging someone as great or not is whether that person has good character or not. One with good character is great, and the one without good character is low.