Kural #1012
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Tamil text
ஊணுடை எச்சம் உயிர்க்கெல்லாம் வேறல்ல
நாணுடைமை மாந்தர் சிறப்பு
Ūṇuṭai eccam uyirkkellām vēṟalla
Nāṇuṭaimai māntar ciṟappu
English translation
Food, clothing, and shelter are common to all beings; modesty is what distinguishes humans.
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Explanation
All living creatures need basic sustenance. What elevates humans above other animals is நாண் - the moral sense of shame. This ethical consciousness is uniquely human and defines true humanity.
விளக்கம்
உணவு, உடை, இருப்பிடம் எல்லாம் உயிர்களுக்கும் பொதுவானவை. மனிதரைச் சிறப்பாக்குவது நாணம். நாணுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில் இது மனிதப் பண்பை உயர்த்திக் காட்டுகிறது. நாணமே மனிதனின் உயர்வு.
Word meanings
- ஊண்ūṇfood
- உடைuṭaiclothing
- எச்சம்eccamshelter/remainder
- உயிர்க்குuyirkkufor beings
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- வேறுvēṟudifferent
- அல்லallaare not
- நாணுடைமைnāṇuṭaimaipossessing modesty
- மாந்தர்māntarhumans
- சிறப்புciṟappudistinction
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Arul. He toiled tirelessly, felling trees to feed his family. One harsh winter, a wealthy merchant arrived, flaunting silks and jewels. He offered Arul a king’s ransom for a single, flawless log. Arul, tempted by such riches, found a magnificent tree, its trunk unblemished. He prepared to cut it, but a small bird, its nest nestled in the branches, chirped a frantic plea. Arul hesitated. He saw the bird's fear, the potential destruction of its home. The merchant scoffed, urging him to take the easy fortune. Arul, though his family suffered, slowly lowered his axe. He chose a lesser log, knowing it would not bring such wealth, but would spare the bird's life. He bartered fairly, accepting less for his labor. He returned home to his family, his heart at peace, knowing he had acted with honor.