Kural #1074
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
நல்லார் ஒருவர் அரிதேசால்
கோடியு மில்லை கயவர் பிறர்
Nallār oruvar aritēcāl
Kōṭiyu millai kayavar piṟar
English translation
Even one good person is rare indeed; millions of base people are nothing.
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Explanation
Quality over quantity: a single noble person is precious and hard to find, while millions of base people have no value. This establishes the supreme worth of virtue.
விளக்கம்
நல்லவர் ஒருவர் கிடைப்பது அரிது; அவர் கோடி பேருக்குச் சமம். ஆனால் கயவர்கள் கோடி பேர் இருந்தாலும் பயனில்லை. கயமை அதிகாரத்தில், நல்ல குணமே உயர்ந்தது என்பதை வள்ளுவர் வலியுறுத்துகிறார்.
Word meanings
- நல்லார்nallārgood people
- ஒருவர்oruvarone person
- அரிதுariturare
- ஏசால்ēcālindeed
- கோடிkōṭimillions
- உம்umeven
- இல்லைillainothing/worthless
- கயவர்kayavarbase people
- பிறர்piṟarothers
Story behind this kural
In the prosperous village of Eldoria, lived a wise old woman named Elara, known for her kindness. Her small cottage was always open to those in need, and her advice was sought by all. Yet, the village also teemed with merchants, each vying for wealth, often at the expense of others. They built grand houses and hoarded riches, caring little for their neighbors. A great drought struck Eldoria. The merchants, with their granaries overflowing, refused to share their food, demanding exorbitant prices. Despair spread. Only Elara, despite having little, offered what she could: a few grains, a comforting word, a helping hand. Her actions inspired a few others to share as well. Though the merchants possessed far more, their wealth offered no solace. Their houses stood empty while the villagers gathered around Elara’s humble home, finding warmth in her generosity. The drought eventually passed, but the memory of those days, and of Elara’s true worth, remained.