Intrepidity in the Face of Misfortune
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iṉpam viḻaiyā ṉiṭumpai yiyalpeṉpāṉ / ṟuṉpa muṟuta lilaṉ.
One who does not demand uninterrupted pleasure and understands effort's ordinary hardship as part of undertaking the work is not inwardly overthrown when that hardship arrives.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“He seeks not joy, to sorrow man is born, he knows; / Such man will walk unharmed by touch of human woes.”
“Behold the man who loveth not pleasure and who knoweth that difficulties are a part of the law of things: he smarteth not ever under any check.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இன்பம் விழையான் இடும்பை இயல்பு என்பான்= தன் உடம்பிற்கு இன்பமாயவற்றை விரும்பாதே வினையால் இடும்பை எய்துதல் இயல்பு என்று தெளிந்திருப்பான்; துன்பம் உறுதல் இலன்= தன் முயற்சியான் துன்பம் உறான்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that one who does not demand only bodily pleasure and understands the hardship arising from effort as ordinary to undertaking work does not add inward torment when it arrives. This never asks anyone to accept preventable harm, exploitation, abuse, or unsafe conditions as normal. It concerns the ordinary exertion, waiting, practice, and revision that meaningful effort can require.