Kural #1025
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Tamil text
கடன்என்ப நல்லவை யெல்லாம்
கடன்அறிந்து சான்றாண்மை மேற்கொள் பவர்க்கு
Kaṭaṉeṉpa nallavai yellām
Kaṭaṉaṟintu cāṉṟāṇmai mēṟkoḷ pavarkku
English translation
All good things are called duties for those who understand their obligations and uphold noble conduct.
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Explanation
For the truly noble, every virtuous act is not optional but an obligation. They recognize duty as the foundation of excellence and embrace it willingly.
விளக்கம்
கடமை உணர்ந்து நற்பண்புகளைக் கடைப்பிடிப்பதே சிறந்த வாழ்க்கை. குடிசெயல் வகையின்படி, குடும்பத்தை உயர்த்த நினைப்போர் இதை உணர வேண்டும். கடமையைச் செய்வதே பெருமை தரும். இதுவே அறம்.
Word meanings
- கடன்kaṭaṉduty/obligation
- என்பeṉpaare called
- நல்லவைnallavaigood things
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- அறிந்துaṟintuknowing
- சான்றுcāṉṟunoble/excellence
- ஆண்மைāṇmaiconduct/virtue
- மேற்கொள்mēṟkoḷundertaking
- பவர்க்குpavarkkufor those who
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a humble potter named Kumar. He was known not for extravagant wares, but for the perfect simplicity of his water pots. Each morning, Kumar would rise before the sun, not to make pots for profit, but to ensure every villager had clean drinking water. One day, a wealthy merchant arrived, offering Kumar a fortune for a special pot, adorned with jewels. Kumar politely refused, explaining he must first repair the village well, which was falling into disrepair. The merchant scoffed, saying Kumar was foolish to prioritize duty over riches. Weeks passed. The merchant, now wealthy from his travels, returned to the village, thirsty and dusty. He found the well sparkling, and Kumar, contentedly filling his own simple pot. He offered the merchant water, a gift freely given. The merchant, humbled, understood the true measure of a man.