Kural #1007
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Tamil text
அற்றார்க்கொன்று ஆற்றாதான் செல்வம்
மிகநலம் பெற்றாள் தமியள்மூத் தற்று
Aṟṟārkkoṉṟu āṟṟātāṉ celvam
Mikanalam peṟṟāḷ tamiyaḷmūt taṟṟu
English translation
The wealth of one who gives nothing to the needy is like a beautiful woman aging alone without a partner.
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Explanation
A powerful metaphor: wealth that is not shared is like a beautiful woman who grows old without ever experiencing love or marriage. Both represent wasted potential - beauty and wealth that serve no purpose and bring joy to no one.
விளக்கம்
வறியவர்க்கு உதவாத செல்வம், துணை இல்லாமல் முதுமையடையும் அழகிய பெண்ணைப் போன்றது. "நன்றியில் செல்வம்" அதிகாரத்தில், பிறருக்குப் பயன்படாத செல்வம் பயனற்றது என்கிறது குறள். பொருள் இருந்தும் கொடுக்காததால், அது வீணாகிறது.
Word meanings
- அற்றார்க்குaṟṟārkkuto those who lack
- ஒன்றுoṉṟusomething
- ஆற்றாதான்āṟṟātāṉone who does not give
- செல்வம்celvamwealth
- மிகmikavery
- நலம்nalambeauty
- பெற்றாள்peṟṟāḷa woman who obtained
- தமியள்tamiyaḷalone
- மூத்தற்றுmūttaṟṟulike aging
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a shimmering lake lived a wealthy merchant named Silas. His granaries overflowed, his coffers clinked with gold, and his house was the grandest in the village. Yet, Silas was known for his stinginess. He turned away beggars, ignored the pleas of the sick, and hoarded his wealth. One day, a terrible drought struck. The lake dwindled, crops withered, and the villagers faced starvation. Silas’s granaries remained full, untouched by generosity. He watched from his balcony as his neighbors struggled, their faces etched with despair. Years passed. Silas grew old, his hair turning white, his face lined. His once-grand house felt empty, his gold cold comfort. He sat alone, surrounded by his wealth, yet utterly isolated. The laughter of children, the warmth of companionship, the satisfaction of a life well-lived – all were foreign to him. He was a rich man, but a lonely one.