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Kural #1015

Wealth· பொருள்Modesty· நாணுடைமை

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Tamil text

குலஞ்சுடும் கொள்கை பிழைப்பின்

நலஞ்சுடும் நாணின்மை நின்றக் கடை

Kulañcuṭum koḷkai piḻaippiṉ

Nalañcuṭum nāṇiṉmai niṉṟak kaṭai

English translation

Wrong principles destroy lineage; shamelessness destroys all excellence if it persists.

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Explanation

Faulty ideology ruins family reputation, but shamelessness is even more destructive - it burns away all good qualities. When modesty departs, nothing of value remains in a person.

விளக்கம்

குலப்பெருமை தவறான வழியால் கெடும். ஆனால், நாணமில்லாவிட்டால், எல்லா நற்குணங்களும் அழிந்துவிடும். நாணம் போனால், ஒருவரிடம் நல்லதே இருக்காது. இது நாணுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில் முக்கியமானது.

Word meanings

  • குலம்kulamlineage/family
  • சுடும்cuṭumwill burn/destroy
  • கொள்கைkoḷkaiprinciple/ideology
  • பிழைப்பின்piḻaippiṉif wrong
  • நலம்nalamgoodness/excellence
  • நாணின்மைnāṇiṉmaishamelessness
  • நின்றக்கடைniṉṟakkaṭaiif it persists

Story behind this kural

In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two potters, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his skillful hands and honest dealings, crafted beautiful vessels, earning the respect of all. Bala, however, envied Arun’s success. He began to sell flawed pots, covered in a thin layer of fine clay, deceiving the villagers. At first, Bala’s dishonest practices brought him quick wealth. But soon, the river of goodwill dried up. People discovered his deceit, and their trust in him shattered. His fine pots gathered dust, unsold. He was shunned, his home became empty, and his name was mud. Meanwhile, Arun, though not as wealthy, continued to thrive. His pots, though simple, were known for their quality. His reputation for integrity grew with each passing year, and his business prospered. People admired him, not just for his craft, but for the honesty that shone through all he did. Bala, in his selfish ambition, lost everything.