Kural #112
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Tamil text
செப்பம் உடையவன் ஆக்கஞ்
சிதைவின்றி எச்சத்திற் கேமாப்பு உடைத்து
Ceppam uṭaiyavaṉ ākkan
Citaiviṉṟi eccattiṟ kēmāppu uṭaittu
English translation
The wealth of an impartial person will endure without destruction and provide security for future generations.
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Explanation
செப்பம் means straightness, fairness, or balance. Wealth acquired through fair means is stable and lasting. It protects not just the earner but their descendants. Ill-gotten wealth, by contrast, brings ruin to the family.
விளக்கம்
நடுவுநிலைமையுடன் சம்பாதிக்கும் செல்வம் அழியாது. அது தலைமுறை தலைமுறைக்கும் பாதுகாப்பாக இருக்கும். நேர்மையற்ற வழியில் சேர்த்த செல்வம் அழிவைத் தரும். அறம் காத்து வாழ்வது சிறந்தது.
Word meanings
- செப்பம்ceppamimpartiality/straightness
- உடையவன்uṭaiyavaṉone who possesses
- ஆக்கம்ākkamwealth/prosperity
- சிதைவுcitaivudestruction
- இன்றிiṉṟiwithout
- எச்சத்திற்குeccattiṟkufor posterity
- ஏமாப்புēmāppuprotection/security
- உடைத்துuṭaittuhas/possesses
Story behind this kural
In a sun-baked village lived two merchants, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his honest dealings, always weighed his goods fairly. His shop was small, but customers trusted him, and his profits, though modest, steadily grew. He invested wisely, providing for his family's future. Bala, on the other hand, coveted quick riches. He cheated on his scales, giving less than what was paid for. His shop flourished initially, overflowing with goods. Yet, whispers of his deceit spread. Customers dwindled. Storms, both literal and metaphorical, seemed to batter his fortunes. His investments failed, and his family suffered hardship. Years passed. Arun's children inherited a thriving business and a reputation for integrity. Bala's children scattered, their inheritance gone, their name tainted. Arun's family continued to prosper, their wealth a testament to his fairness.