Kural #1042
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Tamil text
இன்மை எனவொன்று இல்லை
இனிமையான் வன்மையுள் வாழ்வினுந் தீ
Iṉmai eṉavoṉṟu illai
Iṉmaiyāṉ vaṉmaiyuḷ vāḻviṉunt tī
English translation
Nothing called poverty truly exists, but the sweetness of self-reliance makes poverty worse than violent death.
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Explanation
Poverty is only painful when compared to the joy of independent living. Those who value freedom find poverty harder to bear than death itself.
விளக்கம்
வறுமை ஒரு துன்பம் இல்லை. ஆனால், சுயமாய் வாழும் இன்பம் தெரிந்தால், வறுமை மரணத்தை விடக் கொடுமையானது. சுதந்திரம் முக்கியம் என்பவர்களுக்கு வறுமை பெரிய வேதனை. நல்குரவு அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து இது.
Word meanings
- இன்மைiṉmaipoverty
- எனeṉacalled
- ஒன்றுoṉṟusomething
- இல்லைillaidoes not exist
- இனிமைiṉimaisweetness/joy
- ஆன்āṉbecause of
- வன்மைvaṉmaiviolence/force
- உள்uḷin/within
- வாழ்வினும்vāḻviṉumthan living
- தீtīevil/bad
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two men, both known for their misfortunes. One, named Arul, constantly lamented his lack of riches. He spent his days begging, his shoulders slumped with despair, convinced he was the unluckiest man alive. He'd often declare how much easier death would be than his impoverished life. The other, Bala, possessed nothing but a small plot of land and calloused hands. He worked tirelessly, planting seeds, and harvesting crops. His meals were simple, his clothes patched, yet his eyes shone with a quiet joy. He greeted each sunrise with a song and shared his meager harvest with those in greater need. One harsh winter, a fierce blizzard struck the village. Arul, huddled and shivering, succumbed to the cold, his spirit broken. Bala, however, weathered the storm. He shared his stored grains and offered shelter, his spirit remaining unbroken. As spring arrived, Bala, planting his seeds, was heard humming, while Arul was but a memory.