KURAL 674
PORUTPAAL
NATPIYAL
ADHIKAARAM 68 – VINAI SEYALVAGAI – MODE OF ACTION
வினைபகை என்றிரண்டின் எச்சம் நினையுங்கால்
தீயெச்சம் போலத் தெறும்.
Vinaipagai enrirandin echam ninaiyungaal
Theeyecham poala therum.
Be it a job you undertake or an enmity you face, if you do not give it full closure, it will come back to ruin you like fire that has not been put out completely.
Vinai: action; Pagai: enmity; Enru irandin: those two; Echam: remnants; Ninaiyungaal: if you reflect on it; Theeyecham: remnants of a fire; Poala: like.
What happens when fire is not put out completely? It will smoulder and given the right wind it will grow bigger and destructive. The power of an ember is so beautifully captured by the fiery tamil poet and freedom fighter Subramania Bharathi –
Agni kunjondru kandaen
adhai angoar kaatinil ponthidai vaithaen
vendhu thanindhadhu kaadu
thazhal veeraththil kunjendrum moopendrum undoa
I found a little ember of fire.
Thinking it to be small, I put it in a burrow in a forest.
The forest burned down!
Is there something as little or big when it comes to the power of fire?
That is the destruction you leave yourself open to with an unfinished job or an unmanaged foe. Make a habit of finishing whatever job you take up. Manage conflicts completely and effectively. There is no point in regretting things later when it comes back to bite you. Closure is key.
Kural Chronicles 
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