Kural #1080
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
நல்லாரும் நல்லாரைச் சேரார்
கயவரும் கண்ணின் கயவரைச் சேரா ரதன்
Nallārum nallāraic cērār
Kayavarum kaṇṇiṉ kayavaraic cērā rataṉ
English translation
Good people do not associate only with the good; the base do not openly associate with the base either.
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Explanation
This closing kural reveals a paradox: good people interact with all levels of society (not just the good), while base people hide their associations with other base people out of shame. Even the base recognize their own baseness.
விளக்கம்
கயமை அதிகாரத்தில், நல்லவர் கெட்டவர் என்று பாராமல் பழகுவர். ஆனால் கயவர்கள், தாங்கள் கெட்டவர்கள் என்று தெரிந்தும், மற்ற கயவர்களுடன் வெளிப்படையாகப் பழக மாட்டார்கள். கயமைதானே வெட்கப்படவைக்கிறது. நல்லவராக இரு.
Word meanings
- நல்லார்nallārgood people
- உம்umalso
- நல்லாரைnallāraigood people
- சேரார்cērārdo not associate only
- கயவர்kayavarbase people
- உம்umalso
- கண்kaṇeye/openly
- இன்iṉby
- கயவரைkayavaraibase people
- சேரார்cērārdo not associate
- அதன்ataṉthat
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two merchants: Elias, known for his generosity, and Silas, a man of sharp dealings. Elias often dined with the village potter and the humble shepherd, sharing stories and laughter. Silas, however, kept his distance from the townsfolk, preferring the company of other merchants, particularly those rumored to be dishonest. One day, a wealthy traveler arrived, seeking to invest in the village. Elias welcomed him, introducing him to everyone, even the poorest farmer. Silas, on the other hand, whispered with the traveler in secret, away from the villagers' ears, offering him inflated prices and hidden deals. When the traveler departed, he left a generous sum with Elias for the village well. Silas was left with nothing. The villagers, witnessing both merchants' actions, understood the true nature of each man.