Kural #1006
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Tamil text
ஏதம் பெருஞ்செல்வம் தான்துவ்வான்
தக்கார்க்கும் ஈதல் இயல்பிலா தான்
Ētam peruñcelvam tāṉtuvvāṉ
Takkārkkum ītal iyalpilā tāṉ
English translation
A disease is great wealth for one who neither enjoys it himself nor gives to the deserving.
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Explanation
Wealth becomes a disease (ஏதம்) when it is neither used for personal enjoyment nor shared with worthy people. Such wealth only brings anxiety and burden, not happiness. It is literally an affliction.
விளக்கம்
நன்றியில் செல்வம் அதிகாரத்தில், இந்த குறள், பிறருக்குக் கொடாமல், தானும் அனுபவிக்காமல் சேர்த்து வைக்கும் செல்வம் ஒரு நோயைப் போன்றது என்கிறது. அந்த செல்வம் மகிழ்ச்சி தராமல் துன்பத்தையே தரும். பிறருக்கு உதவி செய்வதே செல்வத்தின் பயன்.
Word meanings
- ஏதம்ētamdisease/affliction
- பெரும்perumgreat
- செல்வம்celvamwealth
- தான்tāṉoneself
- துவ்வான்tuvvāṉdoes not enjoy
- தக்கார்க்கும்takkārkkumto the deserving also
- ஈதல்ītalgiving
- இயல்புiyalpunature/habit
- இலாதான்ilātāṉone without
Story behind this kural
In a prosperous village lived a merchant named Silas, whose warehouses overflowed with silks and spices. He dined alone, his table laden with delicacies, yet he never seemed to savor a single bite. His days were spent counting coins, his nights haunted by dreams of thieves. A drought struck the village. Wells dried up, and fields withered. Farmers pleaded with Silas for grain, but he turned them away, fearing his stores would dwindle. He built higher walls around his compound and hired more guards. One day, Silas fell ill. A fever consumed him, and his grand house felt cold and empty. He clutched his wealth, unable to enjoy it, as his neighbors, whom he had refused to help, looked on with pity. His riches, once a source of pride, now brought him no comfort, only a heavy burden. His life slowly faded away, with his wealth untouched.