The greatest power?

You know, the strange thing about these philosophers is their odd ideas about things like wealth, power and the likes. I mean, when us ordinary mortals think of wealth, for example,  we think of the BMWs and, perhaps, the odd island or two that we could own...simple things like that. AND, as you have seen in these very annals, talk to philosophers and they will prate of what's in your head - knowledge etc. It's like what we look for in the outside world, they seem to look for inside us.

So, it's not really surprising that Tiru came out with this:

Inmaiyul inmai virundhoraal vanmaiyul vanmai madavaarp porai - Tirukkural

The worst of poverty is to deny hospitality to guests; the greatest power is to be able to bear with the criticism of fools - Loose Translation

THAT is a double whammy for you. Tiru says that, no matter how rich you are, if you do not have the generosity to extend hospitality to guests, you have a poverty of mindset. (See! The worst of poverty is the one in the mind!!) AND, if you can be patient with the idiotic criticism of fools, you possess the greatest power. (Alas, yes, it IS expected of anyone in creative endeavors to possess this greatest of powers and listen to the criticism of everyone without any retaliation or defense.)

But, yes, in a way, this ability to shrug off unwarranted criticism IS a super-power. It is probably a major component of what you could call EQ or SQ or what you will. The ability to deal with people is largely dependent on the ability to not react emotionally to criticism. He who can let insults slide off his skin like he is coated in Teflon is the guy who eventually wins people over. 

The converse is equally as true. If you allow criticism to prey on your mind, you could either be convinced that you are no good OR be convinced that the people around you are no good. Either way, you could end up with the idea of 'What's the good of my persisting with my efforts because...' AND complete that sentence either with '...I am no good at this' OR '...these people are incapable of appreciating what I have done'.

Now, yes, those are the two extremes and most people fall in between. But a lot more people actually hit the negative extreme and far too few are capable of hitting the positive extreme.

Which is why Tiru is right and it IS a super-power!