Kural #1000
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Tamil text
பண்பிலான் பெற்ற பெருஞ்செல்வம்
நன்பால் கலந்தீமை யால்திரிந் தற்று
Paṇpilāṉ peṟṟa peruñcelvam
Naṉpāl kalantīmai yāltirin taṟṟu
English translation
Great wealth in the hands of the discourteous is like good milk turned sour by an unclean vessel.
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Explanation
This beautiful metaphor shows that character determines how wealth is used. Even the purest milk (நன்பால்) becomes spoiled in an unclean container. Similarly, great wealth becomes a source of harm when possessed by someone without courtesy.
விளக்கம்
பண்பில்லாதவன் பெரும் செல்வம் அடைந்தால், அது நல்ல பால் கெட்ட பாத்திரத்தில் கெடுவது போலாகும். பண்புடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், நற்பண்பே செல்வத்தை நல்வழியில் செலுத்தும் என்கிறது குறள். நற்குணம் இல்லாவிட்டால் செல்வம் தீங்காகும்.
Word meanings
- பண்புpaṇpucourtesy
- இலான்ilāṉone without
- பெற்றpeṟṟaobtained
- பெரும்perumgreat
- செல்வம்celvamwealth
- நன்பால்naṉpālgood milk
- கலம்kalamvessel
- தீமையால்tīmaiyālby impurity
- திரிந்துtirintuturned/spoiled
- அற்றுaṟṟulike
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village lived two merchants, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his generosity and kind words, prospered in his trade of silks. He treated all, from the humblest beggar to the wealthiest nobleman, with respect. His wealth grew steadily, yet his character remained untarnished. Bala, on the other hand, was sharp-tongued and arrogant. He amassed a fortune selling spices, but his heart was hard. He haggled with customers, scorned his rivals, and hoarded his riches, always seeking more. His wealth grew quickly, but his reputation suffered. One year, a devastating drought struck the land. Arun used his wealth to feed the hungry and provide shelter. He shared his resources freely, earning the gratitude of the villagers. Bala, however, built a high wall around his granary, letting people starve outside. Soon, Bala's wealth dwindled as the villagers turned away, and Arun's continued to flourish, as people came from far and wide to do business with him.