Two Kinds of People: Those Who Practise Thavam and Those Who Pursue Avam.
Valluvar contrasts two ways of living:
- Thavam (தவம் செய்வோர்): Those (few) who exercise discipline and fulfil their rightful duties and purposes.
- Avam (அவம் செய்வோர்): Those who (many) become trapped in immediate gratification, constantly pursuing fleeting pleasures at the expense of their higher purpose and long-term well-being.
These are two patterns of behaviour, not two permanent categories of people. A person can change from one to the other through their choices and habits.
One important nuance: தவம் in its classical context means ascetic discipline, not simply ambition or productivity. Applying it to purposeful daily discipline is a contemporary educational interpretation.
