Page:The Kural or The Maxims Of Tiruvalluvar.pdf/220

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PART II WEALTH
 

CHAPTER 78

THE SELF-ABANDON OF THE WARRIOR

771. Face not my master in battle, O ye foes ! for many are the men that challenged him and are now lying in stone-marked graves.

772. The javelin that is aimed at a tusker but misseth bringeth more glory than the arrow that is aimed at a hare and even hitteth.

773. The furious courage that striketh hard, that is what they call valour: but it is chivalrous generosity to the fallen that giveth it its edge.

774. The warrior hurled his spear at the elephant and was hurrying back to look for another : but he noticed the spear buried in his own body and smiled with joy as he plucked it out.7

775. Is it not a shame to the hero if his eye doth so much as wink when the lance is hurled at him?

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