Kural #111
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Tamil text
தகுதி எனவொன்று நன்றே
பகுதியால் பாற்பட்டு ஒழுகப் பெறின்
Takuti eṉavoṉṟu naṉṟē
Pakutiyāl pāṟpaṭṭu oḻukap peṟiṉ
English translation
Impartiality is a worthy virtue, if one can conduct oneself with fairness towards all people equally.
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Explanation
This opening kural defines true impartiality - treating all people fairly regardless of their relationship to you. The word பகுதி refers to different groups or parties, and பாற்பட்டு means acting with equity. True justice means the same standard for everyone.
விளக்கம்
நடுவுநிலைமை என்பது ஒரு சிறந்த குணம். பலவேறு குழுக்களிடம் பாரபட்சமின்றி ஒரே மாதிரி நடந்துகொள்ளுதல் தகுதி உடையது. இது நடுவுநிலைமை அதிகாரத்தின் முக்கிய கருத்து. இதனால் நன்மை உண்டாகும்.
Word meanings
- தகுதிtakutiworthiness/fitness
- எனeṉacalled
- ஒன்றுoṉṟuone thing
- நன்றேnaṉṟēis good indeed
- பகுதியால்pakutiyāltowards different parties
- பாற்பட்டுpāṟpaṭṭuwith equity/fairness
- ஒழுகoḻukato conduct oneself
- பெறின்peṟiṉif able
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a wise old judge known for his fairness. One day, two farmers, brothers by blood, came before him. They argued over a small plot of land, each claiming it as their own. One was the judge's closest friend, the other a stranger. The judge listened patiently to both sides, examining the evidence: deeds, testimonies, and the markings on the land itself. Though his heart ached, knowing he might disappoint his friend, he rendered his decision. The land belonged to the stranger, as the evidence clearly showed. The friend was crestfallen, but the stranger beamed with relief. The judge, though saddened by his friend's disappointment, felt a quiet satisfaction. News of his just ruling spread throughout the village. Soon, everyone knew that before this judge, all were equal.