Kural #1045
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Tamil text
தந்தாது மன்னும் இருப்பக்கால்
தான்தடிந்து மெலிந்தார் இலரே நிலம்
Tantātu maṉṉum iruppakkāl
Tāṉtaṭintu melintār ilarē nilam
English translation
When someone does not give but continues to live, there are no others on earth who have so destroyed and wasted themselves.
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Explanation
Living without generosity is self-destruction. Those who hoard and refuse charity waste their humanity more than any other tragedy could.
விளக்கம்
ஈகை குணம் இல்லாமல் வாழ்வது தன்னைத்தானே அழித்துக்கொள்வதற்குச் சமம். பிறருக்குக் கொடுக்காமல் சேர்த்து வைப்பவர்கள், வறுமை அதிகாரத்தில் சொல்லப்பட்டபடி, வேறு எந்தத் துன்பத்தை விடவும் தம்மைத் தாழ்த்திக் கொள்கிறார்கள். கொடாதவர் தம்மை அழிப்பவர்.
Word meanings
- தந்துtantugiving
- ஆதுātuwithout
- மன்னும்maṉṉumcontinuing
- இருப்பiruppaliving
- கால்kālwhen/time
- தான்tāṉself
- தடிந்துtaṭintudestroying
- மெலிந்தார்melintārwasted ones
- இலர்ilarthere are none
- நிலம்nilamon earth
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun possessed a bountiful harvest each year, his granaries overflowing with grain. Yet, he kept his stores locked tight, fearing scarcity. He dined alone, his meals lavish, while others in the village sometimes went hungry. Bala, on the other hand, shared his produce generously, giving to those in need. His own stores were modest, but his heart was full. He ate simple meals, often sharing them with others, and his laughter echoed through the village. As the seasons turned, Arun’s health withered. His joy diminished with each passing year, and a shadow of loneliness clung to him. Bala, despite his smaller holdings, thrived. His face glowed with contentment, and he was surrounded by friends, their faces lit with gratitude and warmth. The villagers often remarked on the emptiness of Arun’s home and the welcoming nature of Bala's.