Decision of Character
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viṉaittiṭpa meṉpa toruvaṉ maṉattiṭpa / maṟṟaiya vellām piṟa.
“What men call 'power in action' know for 'power of mind' / Externe to man all other aids you find.”
“Greatness of achievement is nought else but the greatness of the will that striveth therefor: all other things come not near the mark.”
What is called firmness in action is the firmness of the actor's mind; every other strength is secondary.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
வினைத்திட்பம் என்பது ஒருவன் மனத் திட்பம்= வினைசெய்தற்கண் திண்மை என்று சொல்லப்படுவது, அதனை முடித்தற்குரியானொருவன் மனத்தினது திண்ணம்; மற்றைய எல்லாம் பிற= அஃது ஒழிந்தன எல்லாம் அதற்குத் திண்மையென்று சொல்லப்படா.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Firmness in action is essentially a person's inner firmness of mind; all other material advantages and resources are merely secondary.