Kural #1028
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
நலமல்லதின்கண் நாணுதல் வேண்டும்
குலமல்லவொன்றன் பின்சாரா தார்க்கு
Nalamallatiṉkaṇ nāṇutal vēṇṭum
Kulamallavaṉṟaṉ piṉcārā tārkku
English translation
Those who do not follow what is unbecoming of their family should feel shame at anything that is not virtuous.
Listen
Explanation
True family pride means avoiding anything beneath one's dignity and feeling genuine shame at impropriety. This self-regulation preserves lineage honor.
விளக்கம்
குடிசெயல் வகையில, குடும்பத்துக்குப் பெருமை சேர்க்காத செயல்களைச் செய்யாம இருக்கணும். நல்ல விஷயங்கள விட்டா வெட்கப்படணும். இது குலப்பெருமையக் காப்பாத்தும்.
Word meanings
- நலம்nalamvirtue/goodness
- அல்லதுallatunot that/other than
- கண்kaṇin regard to
- நாணுதல்nāṇutalfeeling shame
- வேண்டும்vēṇṭumshould/must
- குலம்kulamfamily/lineage
- அல்லallaunbecoming
- ஒன்றுoṉṟuthing
- பின்சாராpiṉcārānot following
- தார்க்குtārkkufor those
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two families, the Kumars and the Raos. The Kumars were known for their honest trade and simple living. The Raos, once respected merchants, had begun to gamble and scheme for quick riches. One day, a wealthy traveler offered a large sum for a rare, but questionably obtained, gem. The Rao brothers saw their chance. They approached Kumar, offering him a share if he would falsely vouch for the gem’s authenticity. Kumar hesitated, remembering his father’s words: “A good name is worth more than all the jewels in the world.” Kumar refused. The Raos, angered, sold the gem and flaunted their newfound wealth. The village whispered with both envy and disapproval. Soon, the Raos’ customers dwindled, their friends distanced themselves, and their children hung their heads in shame. The Kumars, however, continued their honest trade, their reputation shining brighter than ever. Their family was content, finding their true wealth in the quiet dignity of their lives.