Kural #1027
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Tamil text
நலம்பாரா ளாயின் குடிப்பிறந்தார்
குன்றுவர் கேடு பலவாங்கு ஒட்டி
Nalampārā ḷāyiṉ kuṭippiṟantār
Kuṉṟuvar kēṭu palavāṅku oṭṭi
English translation
If those born into noble families do not guard their virtue, they will decline as many forms of ruin attach to them.
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Explanation
Failure to protect family honor invites multiple calamities. Noble families must actively guard their reputation, or face comprehensive downfall.
விளக்கம்
குடிப் பெருமை காக்காவிட்டால், நல்ல குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தோரும் தாழ்ந்து போவர். பலவிதமான துன்பங்கள் வந்து சேரும். "குடிசெயல் வகை" அதிகாரத்தில், குடும்பத்தின் நற்பெயரைக் காப்பது முக்கியம் என்று வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார்.
Word meanings
- நலம்nalamgoodness/virtue
- பாராள்pārāḷnot guarding
- ஆயின்āyiṉif
- குடிபிறந்தார்kuṭippiṟantārnoble-born
- குன்றுவர்kuṉṟuvarwill decline
- கேடுkēṭuruin/destruction
- பலpalamany
- வாங்குvāṅkuforms
- ஒட்டிoṭṭiattaching to
Story behind this kural
In a prosperous village nestled beside a whispering river, lived the noble family of Arul. They were known for their generosity and integrity, admired by all. Their fields yielded bountiful harvests, and their home was always open to those in need. However, Arul's son, Veer, grew arrogant with their wealth. He spent his days in wasteful pursuits, neglecting the family's traditions of hard work and honesty. He gambled, feasted excessively, and associated with those of ill repute. Slowly, the villagers began to whisper. Doubts arose about Veer's character, and the family’s reputation began to tarnish. Creditors demanded payment, and the fields, once carefully tended, were left untended. Soon, the family’s wealth dwindled. One by one, friends turned away, and the once-grand home fell into disrepair. The river, which once brought them prosperity, now seemed to mock their downfall.