Kural #1021
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Tamil text
அறன்எறிந்து மீதுய்க்கும் பண்பின்ார்
பண்பின்ார் என்பர் திறன்அறிந்து தீதுய்க்க லான்
Aṟaṉeṟintu mītuykum paṇpiṉār
Paṇpiṉār eṉpar tiṟaṉaṟintu tītuykka lāṉ
English translation
Those who cast virtue aside and live for mere survival are not truly virtuous; the virtuous understand their duty and avoid evil.
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Explanation
True nobility lies not just in survival but in upholding dharma while providing for one's family. Those who compromise virtue for wealth lose their family honor.
விளக்கம்
குடிசெயல் வகையில், அறத்தை விட்டுவிட்டு உயிர் வாழ்பவர் நல்லவர் ஆகார். குடும்பத்தைக் காக்கத் திறமையறிந்து தீமை செய்யாமல் இருப்பவரே சிறந்தவர். அறவழியில் பொருள் ஈட்டுவதே குடும்பத்தின் பெருமை.
Word meanings
- அறன்aṟaṉvirtue/dharma
- எறிந்துeṟintucasting aside
- மீதுmītumerely/survival
- உய்க்கும்uykkumsustaining
- பண்பினார்paṇpiṉārvirtuous people
- திறன்tiṟaṉcapacity/duty
- அறிந்துaṟintuknowing
- தீதுtītuevil/harm
- உய்க்கலான்uykkalāṉby avoiding
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun, the elder, was a farmer known for his honest dealings. Bala, driven by a thirst for riches, became a merchant, trading goods with a neighboring kingdom. One year, a great famine struck. Arun shared his meager harvest with the village, even as his own family suffered. Bala, however, hoarded his grain, selling it at exorbitant prices, amassing a fortune while others starved. When the famine ended, Bala built a grand house and wore fine silks. Yet, the villagers whispered behind his back, their eyes filled with scorn. Arun, though still humble, was respected and loved. When his children sought a spouse, their families welcomed them with open arms. Bala's children, however, found their proposals rejected. No one wanted to be associated with a family built on another's suffering. The grand house felt empty, and the silks offered no comfort.