Kural #1026
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Tamil text
குணநலம் சான்ற குடிப்பிறந்தார்
கொண்டொழுக வன்கண்ணர் ஆகப் பெறின்
Kuṇanalam cāṉṟa kuṭippiṟantār
Koṇṭoḻuka vaṉkaṇṇar ākap peṟiṉ
English translation
If those born into noble families of proven virtue become hard-hearted, they will embrace improper conduct.
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Explanation
Noble birth alone does not guarantee good character. When pride hardens the heart, even those from illustrious families can fall into disgraceful behavior.
விளக்கம்
குடிப்பெருமை மட்டும் நல்லொழுக்கத்தைத் தராது. நல்ல குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தும், மனக்கடுமை அடைந்தால், தவறான வழியில் நடப்பார்கள். குடிசெயல் வகை அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். பணிவும் நற்குணமுமே உயர்வு தரும்.
Word meanings
- குணம்kuṇamvirtue/quality
- நலம்nalamgoodness
- சான்றcāṉṟaproven/attested
- குடிkuṭifamily
- பிறந்தார்piṟantārthose born
- கொண்டுkoṇṭutaking/adopting
- ஒழுகoḻukaconduct/behavior
- வன்கண்ணர்vaṉkaṇṇarhard-hearted
- ஆகப்பெறின்ākapeṟiṉif become
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, lived Elara, daughter of the esteemed Judge Theron. Known for her beauty and lineage, Elara was admired by all. Yet, a coldness settled upon her. She began to scorn the less fortunate, refusing aid to those in need. One day, a traveling merchant, his cart overturned by a storm, pleaded for help. The villagers, though weary, rushed to assist. Elara, however, stood aloof, her face a mask of disdain. "Such clumsiness," she scoffed, turning away. Later, the merchant, his cart mended, offered gold to those who helped. He presented Elara with a single coin, meant as a token of thanks. But when she reached for it, her hand trembled. The merchant, seeing her haughtiness, withdrew his gift, giving it instead to a humble farmhand. Elara, once admired, found herself isolated. Her noble birth, once a source of pride, now seemed hollow, devoid of true value.