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Kural #1044

Wealth· பொருள்Poverty· நல்குரவு

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Tamil text

இன்பம் இடையறாது காணின்

அரியதன் நின்று தீர்வானும் இல்

Iṉpam iṭaiyaṟātu kāṇiṉ

Ariyataṉ niṉṟu tīrvāṉum il

English translation

If you look at uninterrupted joy, poverty is hard to bear and difficult to remedy.

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Explanation

Comparing poverty to continuous happiness makes it unbearable, and escaping it becomes nearly impossible without resources.

விளக்கம்

வறுமை துன்பமானது. தொடர்ந்து இன்பம் கண்டால், வறுமையைத் தாங்குவது கடினம். அதை நீக்குவதும் அரிது. நல்குரவு அதிகாரத்தில், இருப்பதை வைத்து மகிழ்ச்சியாக இருக்கக் குறள் கூறுகிறது.

Word meanings

  • இன்பம்iṉpamjoy/pleasure
  • இடைiṭaiin between
  • அறாதுaṟātuwithout ceasing
  • காணின்kāṇiṉif seeing
  • அரியariyadifficult
  • தன்taṉits
  • நின்றுniṉṟustanding/remaining
  • தீர்வான்tīrvāṉone to remove
  • இல்ilnot

Story behind this kural

In a sun-drenched village nestled beside a whispering river lived two farmers: Arun and Bala. Arun toiled relentlessly, his days a cycle of planting and harvesting. His home was humble, his meals simple. Yet, Arun found contentment in the rhythm of his life, appreciating the small joys: a ripe mango, a clear sky, the laughter of his children. Bala, on the other hand, was consumed by his neighbor's prosperity. He saw the grand house, the overflowing granaries, and the fine clothes of the wealthy merchant. Bala constantly lamented his own lot, comparing his small plot to the merchant’s expansive fields. Every day, he complained about the lack of comfort, the absence of luxuries. One harsh winter, crops failed for both. Arun, though struggling, found strength in his family and the memories of his simple joys. Bala, however, was overwhelmed. He saw only the hardship, the contrast to what he believed he deserved. He was consumed by his misfortunes, making it even harder to overcome them.