Kural #1058
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Tamil text
இன்மையின் இன்னாது இரக்கப் படுதல்
தன்மையின் தான்கண்டு நகும்
Iṉmaiyiṉ iṉṉātu irakkap paṭutal
Taṉmaiyiṉ tāṉkaṇṭu nakum
English translation
More painful than poverty is being pitied; one's own soul will see and mock itself.
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Explanation
The psychological pain of being pitied while begging is worse than poverty itself. The inner self witnesses this degradation and mocks the person for their loss of dignity.
விளக்கம்
வறுமையிலும் இரந்து வாழ்வது கேவலமானது. பிறர் இரக்கப்படுவதை விட வறுமையே மேல். தன்மானம் இழந்து யாசிப்பதை மனசாட்சியே ஏளனம் செய்யும். இரவின் கொடுமையை குறள் விளக்குகிறது.
Word meanings
- இன்மைiṉmaipoverty
- இன்iṉthan
- இன்னாதுiṉṉātupainful
- இரக்கirakkato be pitied
- படுதல்paṭutalbeing subjected to
- தன்மைtaṉmaione's nature/soul
- இன்iṉby
- தான்tāṉitself
- கண்டுkaṇṭuseeing
- நகும்nakumwill mock
Story behind this kural
Old Man Theron was once a respected carpenter, his hands skilled, his spirit proud. But a cruel winter stole his savings, leaving him with nothing. He swallowed his pride and began to beg. Each day, he stood outside the marketplace, his weathered face etched with shame. Some gave generously, their eyes filled with pity. Others hurried past, averting their gaze. Theron felt a hollow ache deeper than hunger. One day, a young woman offered him a warm loaf and a kind smile. "You must be weary, Grandfather," she said. "Please, take this." Theron mumbled his thanks, but as he ate, a bitter taste filled his mouth. He imagined his younger self, hammering wood with purpose, and felt a burning flush of humiliation. He saw his reflection in the muddy puddle: a broken man. The pity in the woman's eyes, the whispers of the crowd, all echoed the voice within, mocking his fallen state. That night, under the cold stars, Theron understood a truth more profound than mere poverty.