Kural #1020
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
நாண்அகத் தில்லார் இயக்கம்
மரப்பாவை நாணால் உயிர்மருட்டி அற்று
Nāṇakat tillār iyakkam
Marappāvai nāṇāl uyirmaruṭṭi aṟṟu
English translation
The movements of those without inner modesty are like a wooden puppet moved by strings, merely imitating life.
Listen
Explanation
Those who lack true modesty in their hearts are like wooden puppets controlled by strings - they appear to move and act, but have no real life or soul. Modesty is what animates genuine humanity; without it, one is merely going through the motions.
விளக்கம்
நாணமில்லாதவர் செயல் மரப்பாவை ஆட்டம் போலிருக்கும். நாண்தான் ஒருவருக்கு உயிர் போன்றது. நாணின்றி வாழ்வது வெறும் போலி வாழ்க்கை. இது நாணுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில் அடங்கும்.
Word meanings
- நாண்nāṇmodesty
- அகத்துakattuwithin/in the heart
- இல்லார்illārthose without
- இயக்கம்iyakkammovement/action
- மரப்பாவைmarappāvaiwooden puppet
- நாண்nāṇstring
- ஆல்ālby
- உயிர்uyirlife
- மருட்டிmaruṭṭideceiving/imitating
- அற்றுaṟṟulike
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village, lived two potters, Arun and Bala. Arun, with every finished pot, would boast of its perfection, claiming the finest clay and most skillful hands. His workshop was filled with grand gestures and loud pronouncements of his genius. Bala, however, worked quietly. He'd examine his work with a critical eye, always seeking improvement, never satisfied. He spoke little of his skills. One day, a wealthy merchant arrived, seeking the finest water vessel. Arun presented his most ornate pot, detailing its intricate design. The merchant, unimpressed, gently tapped the vessel. It wobbled, the embellishments seemed hollow. Then, Bala presented a simple, sturdy pot. The merchant, upon examining it, saw its quiet strength, its balanced form. It held water without a single drop lost. The merchant chose Bala's pot, declaring it a vessel of true value. Arun's grand gestures were soon forgotten, while Bala's reputation for genuine craftsmanship grew.