Kural #1061
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Tamil text
இரக்க இரத்தக்கார் ஆயினும் கொள்ளார்
மரக்க மறுத்துண்ண லான்
Irakka irattakkār āyiṉum koḷḷār
Marakka maṟuttuṇṇa lāṉ
English translation
Even when they are worthy of compassion and in need, the noble will not beg because they refuse to eat what brings shame.
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Explanation
The truly noble would rather starve than accept food obtained through the degradation of begging. Shame (மரக்க) is worse than hunger.
விளக்கம்
இரக்கப்பட வேண்டிய நிலையிலும், உயர்ந்தோர் இரந்து உண்ண மாட்டார்கள். இரந்து உண்பது அவமானத்தைத் தரும். மானம் காப்பதே முக்கியம், பசியை விட. இரவச்சம் அதிகாரத்தின்படி, யாசிப்பது இழிவானது.
Word meanings
- இரக்கirakkato be pitied
- இரத்தக்கார்irattakkārthose worthy/deserving
- ஆயினும்āyiṉumeven though
- கொள்ளார்koḷḷārwill not take
- மரக்கmarakkashame/disgrace
- மறுத்துmaṟutturefusing
- உண்ணல்uṇṇaleating
- ஆன்āṉbecause
Story behind this kural
The old potter, Elango, was known throughout the village for his beautiful clay vessels. A terrible drought struck, and the river dried to dust. Elango's kiln lay cold, his hands idle. Hunger gnawed at his belly. A wealthy merchant, seeing Elango’s plight, offered him food – but on one condition: Elango must beg at the marketplace, praising the merchant's generosity. Many villagers, desperate, had already succumbed, their voices hoarse from pleading. Elango considered. He looked at his calloused hands, once shaping beauty, now trembling with weakness. He saw the merchant’s expectant gaze, the crowd already murmuring. He remembered the pride he took in his craft. He politely declined the merchant’s offer. Instead, he gathered the last of his clay, mixing it with grit and sand. He crafted small, rough bowls, which he traded for a meager meal with a traveling trader. The food was simple, but his spirit remained unbroken.