Thirukkural – 236
If one’s born, be born to achieve glory;
One who can’t, is better not born.
தோன்றின், புகழொடு தோன்றுக! அஃது இலார்
தோன்றலின் தோன்றாமை நன்று
Everybody born in this world must strive to achieve glory. If one does not strive, his life’s wasted and he’s better not born.
Old Tamil Poetry 
//Strive//
Now that is an inspired reading 🙂
But how do you strive thOndrudhal itself?
It is interesting to note earlier interpretations – ParimElazhagar/MaNakkudavar – who take interpret it as ‘being born’ – versus 20th century interpreters who talk about it as ‘appearing on stage’. i.e. some kind of active choice.
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Paavaanar sticks to ParimelAzhagar. I disregarded Mu Va & co.
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