Kural #110
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Tamil text
எந்நன்றி கொன்றார்க்கும் உய்வுண்டாம்
உய்வில்லை செய்ந்நன்றி கொன்ற மகற்கு
Ennaṉṟi koṉṟārkkum uyvuṇṭām
Uyvillai ceynnaṉṟi koṉṟa makaṟku
English translation
There is redemption even for those who have killed all other virtues, but there is no salvation for the one who has killed gratitude.
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Explanation
This powerful closing kural declares ingratitude as the ultimate sin. Even murderers and other sinners may find redemption, but one who betrays those who helped them - who "kills" gratitude - has no hope of salvation. This emphasizes gratitude as the foundation of all virtues.
விளக்கம்
எந்த உதவியும் மறப்பது மிக கெட்டது. மற்ற பாவங்கள் செய்தவர்க்கும் மன்னிப்பு உண்டு, ஆனால் நன்றி மறந்தவர்க்கு இல்லை. செய்ந்நன்றி அறிதல் அதிகாரத்தில், இது நன்றியின் முக்கியத்துவத்தை காட்டுகிறது. உதவி செய்தவர்க்கு எப்போதும் நன்றி சொல்ல வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- எந்நன்றிennaṉṟiwhatever virtue
- கொன்றார்க்கும்koṉṟārkkumeven for those who killed
- உய்வுuyvusalvation/redemption
- உண்டாம்uṇṭāmthere is
- இல்லைillaithere is not
- செய்ந்நன்றிceynnaṉṟigratitude (for help received)
- கொன்றkoṉṟawho killed
- மகற்குmakaṟkufor that person
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Arul. Once, a fearsome wolf trapped him. A kind merchant, Vasanthan, risked his life to save Arul. Years passed. Arul became prosperous, forgetting the debt of gratitude. He built a grand house and hosted lavish feasts. One day, Vasanthan, now old and struggling, came to Arul, begging for a handful of rice. Arul, recognizing the man who had saved him, turned him away, feigning ignorance. Vasanthan, heartbroken, left. Soon after, Arul's house caught fire. Though villagers rushed to help, no one – not even those he had feasted – offered aid. His house burned to ashes, leaving him with nothing. The forest, once a source of wood and life, seemed to mock him with its rustling leaves. He wandered alone, his wealth and status vanished, a stark reminder of his lost kindness.